STANFORD, Calif. - No. 8 Stanford can clinch the Pac-12 regular-season title outright with a victory at No. 16 California on Saturday afternoon in Berkeley.
The regular season concludes with a televised matchup on Pac-12 Networks at 12 p.m. PT. The Cardinal (17-2, 9-0 Pac-12) is looking to remain perfect in conference play while the Golden Bears (15-3, 8-1 Pac-12) are chasing a share of the crown.
Stanford is the defending league champion, defeating USC last season for its 25th conference title and first overall since 2012. The Cardinal last repeated as conference champions in 2010-11.
Despite suffering only its second loss of the season last week at No. 17 Pepperdine, Stanford actually climbed two spots in the national rankings. Stanford has not been ranked higher than No. 8 since March 21, when the Cardinal was tabbed No. 5.
A strong finish to the season would guarantee Stanford's postseason run begins at Taube Family Tennis Stadium, with hosting duties typically awarded to the nation's top-16 teams.
Also working in Stanford's favor on Saturday: an upper hand in what has been an entertaining rivalry series. The Cardinal has won 11 of the last 16 meetings against the Golden Bears, including dramatic NCAA victories in 2014 and 2015.
California is surging, having won eight in a row since its only conference loss of the season back on March 11 at UCLA.
Stanford remains well represented in the national rankings, with every member of its singles lineup holding down a spot. Melissa Lord (23-3 overall, 14-2 duals) checks in at No. 23, followed by Caroline Doyle (41), Taylor Davidson (53), Emma Higuchi (71), Caroline Lampl (86) and Emily Arbuthnott (122). Higuchi (28-3 overall, 17-0 duals) is the Cardinal's winningest player and has won 17 in a row.
The Cardinal's top-ranked doubles team is Doyle and Lord (12-5 overall, 9-2 duals) at No. 40.