Stanford Falls at UCLA

Box Score

LOS ANGELES – For the first time this season, the third-ranked Stanford men’s volleyball team dropped a three-set match, falling 27-25, 25-18, 25-22 at No. 4 UCLA, Thursday, in Pauley Pavilion.

The Cardinal (19-4, 17-4 MPSF) trailed by as many as six points in the opening set, but came back to tie it at 24-24. Tied again at 25-25, a service error by Conrad Kaminski and an attack error by Madison Hayden gave UCLA (22-5, 16-5 MPSF) a 27-25 first set win. It marked the first time this season in which the Cardinal lost the opening set.

Stanford was unable to generate consistent offense in the second, hitting -.029 with just seven kills, while the Bruins posted a .303 attack percentage. UCLA completed the sweep by hitting .241 and holding Stanford to a .174 clip.

The Cardinal posted its lowest team hitting percentage of the season (.158) and its second-lowest team blocking total (6.0). UCLA hit .307 for the match and finished with 9.5 blocks and five aces.

Senior setter James Shaw finished with his fourth double-double of the season, totaling 20 assists and 11 digs. Redshirt junior opposite Gabriel Vega led the team with seven kills, six digs and two blocks. Senior Madison Haden was held to six kills, while Kevin Rakestraw finished with five kills, three blocks and an ace.

Shaw, senior Conrad Kaminski and freshman Jordan Ewert all totaled four kills for Stanford. Senior Alex Stephanus came off the bench and recorded three kills on three swings. Sophomore libero Evan Enriques collected nine digs and four assists.

UCLA was led by JT Hatch’s double-double (15 kills, 10 digs), while Jake Arnitz chipped in with 12 kills and five blocks.

Stanford concludes MPSF play at No. 7 UC Santa Barbara on Saturday, April 9. First serve is slated for 7 p.m. PT in Rob Gym.