STANFORD, Calif. – Behind 15 team blocks, the second-ranked Stanford women's volleyball team registered its second sweep of the season, defeating Minnesota 25-15, 25-23, 25-18, Sunday, in Maples Pavilion. The Cardinal move to 2-0 on the season, while the Golden Gophers drop to 0-2.
Stanford's defense held Minnesota to a .095 attack percentage as the Gophers committed 26 hitting errors. Stanford also out dug Minnesota, 43-39. As a team, the Cardinal registered a .253 hitting percentage to go with six service aces.
Senior setter Madi Bugg controlled the offense with 26 assists while collecting five blocks and four digs. Senior outside hitter Jordan Burgess paced the team with 11 kills on .333 hitting, while senior Brittany Howard added 10 kills, five digs and two solo blocks.
Freshman opposite Hayley Hodson, who recorded a double-double in her first collegiate match, finished with nine kills, 12 digs and five blocks. Freshman middle blocker Tami Alade led the team with six blocks, while redshirt sophomore Ivana Vanjak added five.
Freshman libero Halland McKenna notched six digs and three assists in the win, while sophomore defensive specialist Sarah Benjamin also recorded six digs for the Cardinal.
Minnesota was led by senior outside hitter Daly Santana, who posted 13 kills and seven digs. Middle blocker Paige Tapp added 10 kills and five blocks for the Gophers.
Up next, Stanford hits the road for the Big Ten/Pac-12 Challenge in State College, Pennsylvania. The Cardinal will take on No. 8 Illinois on Friday, Sept. 4 at 2 p.m. PT and host No. 1 Penn State on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 5 p.m. PT.