STANFORD, Calif. - Red-hot Stanford has won 10 in a row, representing its sixth double-digit in-season winning streak since 2010.
However, the Cardinal, which owns sole possession of first place in the Pac-12 and with its only loss coming on the road at top-ranked Florida, has seemingly gained momentum everywhere except one place: the national rankings.
After matching a season-high No. 4 ranking three weeks ago, Stanford (14-1, 6-0 Pac-12) has suddenly tumbled six spots in the poll. Oddly enough, the rankings slide comes during a stretch in which the Cardinal has won five in a row in dominant fashion. Adding to the confusion, two opponents Stanford has already beaten (No. 7 Vanderbilt, No. 9 Oklahoma State) continue to check in with higher rankings. The computerized rankings are now generated weekly, taking into account each team's best wins.
While the rankings mean little in early April, there is definite incentive to finishing as high as possible in the poll. Stanford very much wants to end the season ranked among the nation's top 16, typically recognized as the cutline for NCAA hosting duties.
So, the only solution is to keep winning matches, and the Cardinal will look to make it 11 in a row with a victory on Friday against No. 37 Oregon (11-7, 4-2 Pac-12) in Eugene. Stanford will play three of its final five regular-season matches away from The Farm.
Individually, the Cardinal continues to cruise along, with every member of its singles lineup earning a ranking while two doubles teams are also ranked.
Melissa Lord (21-2 overall, 12-1 duals) is Stanford's highest-ranked player at No. 19 while Emma Higuchi (24-3 overall, 13-0 duals) is the Cardinal's winningest player. Meanwhile, nobody is hotter than Emily Arbuthnott (18-2 overall, 12-0 duals), who is riding a 15-match winning streak with her last loss coming back on Jan. 13.
The Cardinal's top-ranked doubles team is Caroline Doyle and Lord (9-5 overall, 6-2 duals) at No. 32.