SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – No. 8 Stanford opened the 2018 season with a 3-1 loss, Friday, on the first day of the UCSB Asics Invitational at the Thunderdome.
Stanford struggled offensively, hitting .191 for the match while committing 27 attack errors. Saint Francis posted a .243 attack percentage and 9.0 blocks.
Redshirt senior middle blocker Kevin Rakestraw led the Cardinal with 11 kills on .529 hitting and two blocks in three sets played. Junior Jordan Ewert also tallied 11 kills and collected eight digs, but was held to a .121 attack percentage.
Senior libero Evan Enriques racked-up a match-best 13 digs to anchor the Stanford defense. Junior setter Russell Dervay totaled 38 assists and four digs.
Sophomore outside hitter Eric Beatty finished with 10 kills and eight digs in three sets, while freshman middle blocker Kyler Presho had six kills on 10 errorless swings to go with two blocks in his first official match for the Cardinal. Freshman opposite Jaylen Jasper chipped in with six kills, six digs, two blocks and two aces in his collegiate debut.
Saint Francis' Cole Thompson recorded a match-high 17 kills, while Brandon Buck and Stephen Braswell each had nine kills for the Red Flash.
Stanford will be back in action Friday night against Princeton. First serve is scheduled for 8 p.m. PT from the Thunderdome.