STANFORD, Calif. – Stanford (19-6, 17-5 MPSF) may have surprised some people at the start of the 2016 season, winning seven of its first eight matches (including five on the road). However, with a healthy James Shaw quarterbacking the offense and veteran players in key positions, the Cardinal had high expectations for the season. After being picked to finish eighth by the MPSF coaches, Stanford tied for second in the league and produced five All-MPSF selections, including Shaw being tabbed the Player of the Year. The Cardinal also led the nation in 2016 with three AVCA first-team All-Americans.
SOCIAL MEDIA: Fans had access to unique behind-the-scenes content on the team by liking Stanford Men’s Volleyball on Facebook or following the team on Twitter (@StanfordMVB) and Instagram (@therealstanfordmvb).
ROAD WARRIORS: Sanford played eight of its first 10 matches on the road in 2016. The Cardinal was 9-4 in its road matches this season compared to a 2-10 mark in matches away from The Farm last season.
IN THE POLL: Stanford came in at No. 6 in the final AVCA Division I-II Men’s Coaches Poll, its lowest ranking since Feb. 8. The Cardinal was one of eight MPSF squads ranked in the final top 15.
ALL-AMERICANS: Stanford led the nation with three AVCA first-team All-Americans, and totaled four overall. Seniors Conrad Kaminski and James Shaw, and sophomore Evan Enriques were placed on the first team, while senior Madison Hayden collected honorable mention honors. The selections brought Stanford’s total AVCA All-America award count to 55 honors spread over 25 players. It marked the second time in the past three seasons in which the Cardinal had produced four All-Americans.
ALL-MPSF: Senior James Shaw was named the MPSF Player of the Year, just the third in program history, and was joined on the All-MPSF first team by Conrad Kaminski. Senior Madison Hayden and sophomore Evan Enriques garnered second-team accolades, while redshirt sophomore Kevin Rakestraw secured honorable mention recognition.
GETTING IT DONE IN THE CLASSROOM: Senior Conrad Kaminski was named to the CoSIDA Men’s At-large Academic All-America first team, boasting a 3.58 GPA in mechanical engineering. He was joined on the on the MPSF All-Academic team by Madison Hayden, Kevin Rakestraw, James Shaw, Alex Stephanus and Gabriel Vega.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES: Stanford (19-6) surpassed its win total from 2015 (10) with a sweep over UC Santa Barbara on Feb. 19. After missing the postseason in 2015, the Cardinal clinched an MPSF playoff berth back in February and hosted a quarterfinal match at Maples Pavilion for the second time in the past three seasons.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING: Stanford ranked second in the MPSF in hitting percentage (.336), while coming in at No. 3 in kills (13.05) and aces (1.42), fourth in opponent hitting percentage (.247) and fifth in assists (12.06).
OPENING SETS: Stanford won the opening set in its first 22 matches of the season, going 19-3 in those contests. The Cardinal was 11-1 when winning the first two sets of the match, and 15-2 when hitting above .300.
DEFENSIVE-MINDED: As a team, Stanford ranked second in the MPSF with 9.05 digs per set, recording a season-high 50 at IPFW on Jan. 9. Sophomore libero Evan Enriques led the conference with 2.53 digs per set. The Cardinal also ranked third in blocks per set as a team (2.71). Senior Conrad Kaminski led the nation with 1.45 blocks per set, totaling a season-high 10 versus USC on March 24 and against CSUN on March 30.
ALL-CENTURY TEAM: Three former Cardinal players were named to the Pac-12 All-Century Team, including middle blocker Scott Fortune (1985-87, 89), outside hitter Mike Lambert (1993-95, 97) and libero Erik Shoji (2009-12). UCLA’s Karch Kiraly and Al Scates were named the Player and Coach of the Century, respectively.
ALUMS OVERSEAS: Stanford currently has five alums playing professionally in Europe:
Brian Cook (‘14): Tonazzo Padova (Italy)
Steven Irvin (‘14): Abiant Lycurgus GRONINGEN (Netherlands)
Eric Mochalski (‘14): ACH Volley LJUBLJANA (Slovenia)
Eric Shoji (‘12): Berlin Recycling Volleys (Germany)
Kawika Shoji (‘10): Arkas Izmir (Turkey)
HEAD COACH JOHN KOSTY: Stanford head coach John Kosty was in his 10th season at the helm of the Cardinal program and his 26th overall on staff. He is 174-115 in his career and has guided Stanford to the 2010 NCAA national championship and the 2014 NCAA finals. The Cardinal has produced a first team AVCA All-America selection in eight of the past nine seasons under Kosty.
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Individual Honors, Awards & Stats
Evan Enriques • Libero • Punalu'u, Hawai'i AVCA All-America first team
All-MPSF second team
Winner of the inaugural Erik Shoji Award, presented to the nation’s top libero by Off the Block
Block “S” Outstanding Male Sophomore Award (Stanford Athletics Board)
Led the MPSF and ranked 11th in the nation with 2.53 digs per set
230 digs are the ninth-most in a single season in the Rally Scoring Era
2.53 digs per set average is the fifth-best in a single season in the Rally Scoring Era (Erik Shoji holds the top 4 spots)
Career digs per set average (2.12) ranks third in school history (RSE)
Madison Hayden • Outside Hitter • Huntington Beach, Calif. AVCA All-America honorable mention
All-MPSF second team
MPSF Player of the Week (Feb. 15)
MPSF All-Academic
Ranked fifth in the MPSF in kills (3.47) and points (4.03) Had two double-doubles on the year
0.29 aces per set average ties for the 10th-best in a single season in the Rally Scoring Era
Conrad Kaminski • Middle Blocker • New Berlin, Wis. AVCA All-America first team
All-MPSF first team
Winner of the inaugural Ryan Millar Award, presented to the nation’s top middle attacker by Off the Block
CoSIDA Men’s At-Large Academic All-America first team
CoSIDA Men’s At-Large Academic All-District
MPSF All-Academic
Spirit of Stanford Award (Stanford Athletics Board)
Led the nation with 1.45 blocks per set and ranked second in hitting percentage (.478)
Had two double-doubles on the year
135 total blocks in 2016 is the most in school history in the Rally Scoring Era
1.45 blocks per set average is the best mark in a single season in the Rally Scoring Era (next highest was 1.24 by Paul Bocage in 2003)
.478 hitting percentage is the fifth-best mark in a single season in school history in the Rally Scoring Era
1st in school history in career hitting percentage in the (RSE) - .462
1st in school history in career blocks per set (RSE) – 1.11
9th in school history in career aces (RSE) – 71
3rd in school history in career blocks (RSE) – 362
Kevin Rakestraw • Middle Blocker • Newport Beach, Calif. All-MPSF honorable mention
MPSF All-Academic
Ranked second in the MPSF with a .489 hitting percentage and ninth with 1.00 blocks per set
.489 hitting percentage in 2016 is the third-best in a single season in the Rally Scoring Era
James Shaw • Setter • Woodside, Calif. AVCA All-America first team
MPSF Player of the Year
All-MPSF first team AVCA National Player of the Week (April 5)
Winner of the Lloy Ball Award, presented to the nation’s top setter by Off the Block
MPSF All-Academic
Conference Male Athlete of the Year (Stanford Athletics Board)
Ranked fourth in the MPSF and 12th nationally with 10.12 assists per set
Ranked seventh in the MPSF and 21st nationally with 0.35 aces per set
Led the team with four double-doubles
.566 hitting percentage in 2016 is the best in school history in the Rally Scoring Era
33 aces ties for seventh in a single season in the Rally Scoring Era
0.35 aces per set average is the fourth-best mark in a single season in the Rally Scoring Era
3rd in school history in career assists (RSE) – 3,705
4th in school history in career assists per set (RSE) – 10.18
T6th in school history in career hitting percentage (RSE) - .380
7th in school history in career aces (RSE) – 85
8th in school history in career digs (RSE) – 560
10th in school history in career blocks (RSE) – 239
Alex Steaphanus • Opposite/Outside Hitter • Manhattan Beach, Calif. MPSF All-Academic
Gabriel Vega • Opposite • Kailua, Hawai'i AVCA National Player of the Week (Feb. 23)
MPSF Player of the Week (Feb. 22)
MPSF All-Academic