STANFORD, Calif. – Despite a career-high 15 kills by Jordan Ewert, the 10th-ranked Stanford men's volleyball dropped a 25-23, 25-21, 25-19 decision to visiting No. 1 Ohio State, Friday, in Maples Pavilion.
Ewert, an outside hitter from Antioch, California, hit .323 in the match while also tallying four digs and a block. However, Stanford (3-1) was held to a .157 team attack percentage, while Ohio State (4-0) hit at a .403 clip.
The defending national champions almost doubled-up the Cardinal in total kills (44 to 26). Senior opposite Miles Johnson paced the Buckeyes with 13 kills on .476 hitting, while reigning AVCA National Player of the Week Nicolas Szerszen finished with 12 kills, four aces and three blocks.
Stanford did hold the edge in blocks, 9.0-7.0, led by freshman middle Stephen Moye's six. Sophomore opposite Matt Klassen was in on five blocks for the Cardinal, while redshirt junior Kevin Rakestraw totaled three.
Freshman setter Paul Bischoff recorded 21 assists to go with three digs, two kills and two blocks. Junior libero Evan Enriques finished with a match-high seven digs. Redshirt senior outside hitter Gabriel Vega added four kills on 10 errorless swings.
Ohio State posted four aces, but committed 21 service errors. Klassen and redshirt junior Colin McCall put down aces for Stanford, which faltered 12 times at the line.
Stanford and Ohio State will meet for round two on Saturday, Jan. 14. Action will begin at 7 p.m. PT in Burnham Pavilion. Admission is free.
?? Who says there aren't long rallies in men's volleyball » https://t.co/2FviU0jrb5
— Men's Volleyball (@StanfordMVB) January 14, 2017