STANFORD, Calif. – Behind freshman opposite Jaylen Jasper, Stanford picked up its first home win of the season with a four-set decision over UC San Diego, Friday, at Burnham Pavilion.
Jasper, a native of Annapolis, Maryland, was relentless on offense all night for the Cardinal (4-15), taking 43 swings. The rookie finished with a career-high 27 kills, the most by a Cardinal player this season, on .535 hitting. He also collected five digs and a career-high four blocks.
As a team, Stanford hit above .300 for the fourth time this season and finished 8.0 blocks and 36 digs. The Cardinal held UC San Diego (9-10) to a .196 clip. Both teams finished with eight aces.
Trailing 22-17 in the fourth, Stanford rallied back to win the set, and the match, on an ace by sophomore Mason Tufuga. Jasper notched four kills during the comeback as junior Matt Klassen continued to put pressure on the Tritons from the service line.
?? Jasper with a ??#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/QC3LlSHwXq
— Stanford Men's Volleyball (@StanfordMVB) March 10, 2018
Setter Russell Dervay returned to the lineup after missing the previous two matches due to injury. The junior controlled the offense with 43 assists and registered his second double-double of the season with 10 digs.
Flex on 'em, Russ ??#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/JTDkWdcs33
— Stanford Men's Volleyball (@StanfordMVB) March 10, 2018
Freshman outside hitter Leo Henken earned the start Friday, totaling seven kills, six digs and two aces. Klassen, who made the start at outside hitter, finished with five kills, three digs, two blocks and an ace. Senior libero Evan Enriques notched double-digit digs (10) for the fourth time in the last five outings.
Stanford middle blockers Kyler Presho and Kevin Rakestraw each recorded five kills. Presho registered a career-high six blocks, the most by a Cardinal player this season.
Stanford limited the nation's top kills leader, UCSD opposite Tanner Syftestad, to 10 kills on .156 hitting. Freshman outside hitter Wyatt Harrison also had 10 kills for the Tritons on a .533 attack percentage.
Stanford will be back in action on Saturday against No. 3 UC Irvine at 7 p.m. in Burnham Pavilion. Admission is free.