LOS ANGELES – Despite four Cardinal players with double-digit kills, Stanford could not complete the comeback at No. 14 USC, Thursday, falling in five at the Galen Center.
In the conference opener for both teams, the Trojans (4-7, 1-0 MPSF) ended a seven-match losing streak, while the Cardinal (2-9, 0-1 MPSF) fell to 0-2 in five-set matches this season.
Fifth-year senior Kevin Rakestraw had a season-best 18 kills, one shy of his career high, on .516 hitting to lead Stanford. Sophomore outside hitter Eric Beatty and freshman opposite Jaylen Jasper each tallied 14 kills, while freshman middle blocker Kyler Presho finished with 12.
Kevin Rakestraw with authority to start the third set #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/0da8qbFhAH
— Stanford Men's Volleyball (@StanfordMVB) February 9, 2018
Offense wasn't the problem for either team as USC hit .396, while Stanford posted a season-best .350 attack percentage. The Cardinal held a 7-3 advantage in aces, including a career-high from Jasper, while the Trojans had the edge in blocks, 7.0-5.5.
Jasper also had a career-high 12 digs, marking the first double-double of his collegiate career. Beatty recorded double-digit kills for the third straight match, while Stanford's middles hit a combined .500 (30-4-52).
First career double-double for Jaylen Jasper - 14 kills, 12 digs #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/CrbuQomTed
— Stanford Men's Volleyball (@StanfordMVB) February 9, 2018
Junior setter Russell Dervay racked up a career-high 49 assists, six digs and a solo block in the loss. For the third straight match, Stanford libero Evan Enriques started at outside hitter. Enriques turned in six kills, six digs and his first collegiate ace, while senior Jake Stuebner held down the libero position with a career-highs in digs (9) and assists (8).
USC, which was led by Jack Wyett's 22 kills, was a perfect 9-0-9 (1.000) in the fifth set. Ryan Moss finished with a double-double (18 kills, 10 digs), while Gianluca Grasso totaled 16 kills and eight digs.
Stanford closes out the week on Saturday at No. 12 CSUN. The Cardinal and Matadors will square off at 6 p.m. on BigWest.tv.