LOS ANGELES – Stanford improved to 6-2 on the season with a 3-2 win over Cal State Northridge on Saturday at the Matador Beach Volleyball Courts.
"This was a gritty first away match for us after having a lot of time off during finals week," said first-year head coach Andrew Fuller. "Duals on the road are always a battle, and to clinch it at the No. 5 match emphasizes how important each pair is to the team's overall success."
Stanford's No. 4 pair of Morgan Hentz and Caitlin Keefe put the Cardinal (6-2, 1-1 Pac-12) on the board first. The all-freshman duo did not allow more than 13 points, winning in straight sets, 21-12, 21-13. The Matadors (2-4) struck back with a win in the No. 2 match. Stanford's pair of Ivana Vanjak and Payton Chang dropped a 21-10, 21-19 decision.
Stanford's top pair of Kathryn Plummer and Jenna Gray made quick work of their match, dominating with a 21-17, 21-11 clip. CSU Northridge battled back at the No. 3 match, making it 2-2 with a 21-12, 21-18 win over Stanford's pair of Catherine Raquel and Shannon Richardson.
It all came down to the No. 5 match -- Courtney Bowen and Kat Anderson represented Stanford. The Cardinal won the opening set, but the Matadors held a 20-18 lead in the second set before Stanford shut the door with four straight points, including three aces from Bowen.
"We love getting to play in front of our Southern California Stanford family, and the local girls are excited to be on the road and show off their hometowns to their out-of-state teammates," added Fuller.
Stanford improves to 6-2 on the season with a 3-2 win over CSU Northridge -- Courtney Bowen's 3 aces seal the deal! #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/OIYo0rMbTY
— Stanford Beach VB (@StanfordBeachVB) March 25, 2017
The Cardinal returns to action tomorrow in Irvine, California, when it takes on Texas Christian at 11 a.m. PT, followed by duals against Irvine Valley College a 1 p.m. and No. 5 Hawaii at 3 p.m. PT. Live statistics will be unavailable for tomorrow's action.
Full Results
1. Plummer/Gray (Stan) def. Haake/Sato (CSUN) 21-7, 21-11
2. Leiphardt/Williamson (CSUN) def. Vanjak/Chang (Stan) 21-10, 21-19
3. Owens/Indermill (CSUN) def. Raquel/Richardson (Stan) 21-12, 21-18
4. Hentz/Keefe (Stan) def. Markle/Russell (CSUN) 21-12, 21-13
5. Bowen/Anderson (Stan) def. Stork/Pinkney (CSUN) 21-18, 22-20
Exh. Rosso/Molinari (CSUN) def. Red-Horse Mohl/DiSanto (Stan) 21-13, 21-19