Kaminski Fuels Win Over USC

Box Score

STANFORD, Calif. -Behind senior Conrad Kaminski, the fifth-ranked Stanford men’s volleyball team posted a 25-16, 25-23, 23-25, 25-20 win over visiting USC, Thursday, in Maples Pavilion.

Kaminski turned in his first career double-double with 11 kills and a season-best 10 blocks. He hit .611 with 11 kills on 18 errorless swings. It was just the second double-digit block performance of his career as he had 12 against CSUN on Jan. 23, 2015. The New Berlin, Wisconsin native also put down two aces for a total of 18.0 points in the win.

Despite being out hit .292 to .253 by the Trojans (6-15, 4-13 MPSF), Stanford held its ground defensively with 14.0 blocks, one shy of its season-high, and 31 digs. The Cardinal (16-3, 14-3 MPSF) continues to be in a tie atop the MPSF standings with five regular-season matches left on the schedule.

Senior setter James Shaw directed the offense with 33 assists to go with six kills on .500 hitting, five digs and three blocks. Senior outside hitter Madison Hayden tied his career-high with five blocks, while notching nine kills, three digs and an ace. Redshirt junior Gabriel Vega added nine kills, eight digs, four blocks and a career-best three aces.

As a team, Stanford put down 10 aces, while committing just 14 service errors. The Trojans had three aces, but were hurt by 27 service errors.

Freshman Jordan Ewert finished with four kills, six digs, two blocks and an ace, while redshirt sophomore middle blocker Kevin Rakestraw tallied three kills and three blocks. Sophomore libero Evan Enriques collected seven digs and three assists.

USC was led by junior outside hitter Lucas Yoder, who finished with a match-high 18 kills on .389 hitting. Alex Slaught added 14 kills on a .500 attack percentage and four digs. Setter Gert Lisha finished with 40 assists and three blocks.

Stanford closes out the week on Friday, March 25 against No. 15 Cal Baptist. First serve is slated for 7 p.m. in Maples Pavilion. Admission is free.