STANFORD, Calif. – Stanford improved to 4-4 on the season with a pair of 5-0 wins over Sacramento State and Pacific in the second day of the Stanford Bay Area Kickoff on Sunday.
"Our team had the opportunity to play against strong opponents with different styles across the board, which was a great challenge for our adaptability," said head coach Andrew Fuller. "I'm encouraged by our team's aggressive attitude at the end of close matches, making timely adjustments to score points."
The No. 16 Cardinal dropped only one set in its first match of the day, earning straight-set victories in the Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 5 pairings. Freshmen Blake Sharp and Sunny Villapando played their first match of the season together at the No. 1, defeating Sacramento State's Gathright/Kurtz 17-21, 21-8, 15-12.
No. 2 pairing Morgan Hentz/Amelia Smith continued its strong weekend with a 21-15, 21-12 win, the pair's third-straight victory of the weekend.
Stanford looked to expand its win streak to four in the second match of the day against Pacific.
The No. 5 pairing of Kat Anderson and Payton Chang won the first match decisively, 21-9, 21-14, giving the Cardinal an early 1-0 lead on the match.
The No. 4 flight provided a back-and-forth match, with Caitlin Keefe and Catherine Raquel defeating Pacific's Hanne De Schrijver and Ashlyn Fleming 21-17, 17-21, 15-13.
Courtney Bowen and Kate Formico secured their first set for Stanford at the three, 21-15, then clinched the match as a whole with an exciting 22-20 win in the third set, giving Stanford a 3-0 lead.
"We are excited to compete San Jose State on Wednesday and have some great televised matches this weekend," added Fuller.
Stanford continues its streak of home matches on Wednesday, hosting San Jose State to open the Stanford Invitational.
Full Results
Stanford 5, Sacramento State 0
1) Blake Sharp/Sunny Villapando (STAN) def. Brie Gathright/Kennedy Kurtz (SAC) 17-21, 21-8, 15-12
2) Morgan Hentz/Amelia Smith (STAN) def. Sarah Davis/Mikaela Nocetti (SAC) 21-15, 21-12
3) Courtney Bowen/Kate Formico (STAN) def. Lana Brown/Hannah Meadows (SAC) 21-10, 21-10
4) Caitlin Keefe/Catherine Raquel (STAN) def. Sarah Falk/Skyler Takeda (SAC) 21-12, 21-13
5) Kat Anderson/Payton Chang (STAN) def. Macey Hayden/Brigitte Murdock (SAC) 21-8, 21-13
EXH.) Erin Cochran/Ashin Olin def. Chelsea Red-Horse Mohl/Shannon Richardson 14-21, 21-17, 15-11
Stanford 5, Pacific 0
1) Blake Sharp/Sunny Villapando (STAN) def. Maycie LaBass/Skylar Wine (UOP) 21-15, 24-22
2) Morgan Hentz/Amelia Smith (STAN) def. Roni Long/Taylor Poncetta (UOP) 21-9, 21-11
3) Courtney Bowen/Kate Formico (STAN) def. Katrin Gotterba/Alex Holt (UOP) 21-15, 22-20
4) Caitlin Keefe/Catherine Raquel (STAN) def. Hanne De Schrijver/Ashlyn Fleming (UOP) 21-17, 17-21, 15-13
5) Kat Anderson/Payton Chang (STAN) def. Kaitlyn Lines/Olivia Petnicki (UOP) 21-9, 21-14