Halfway There

Box Score

STANFORD, Calif. – Four Cardinal registered double-digit kills as No. 1 Stanford eliminated No. 16 seed Washington State, 3-1, in a NCAA Tournament regional semifinal, Friday, at Maples Pavilion.
 
Stanford (31-1) set a school record with its 29th consecutive win and extended its nation-best home winning streak to 35. The Cardinal hit .274 as a team, while holding Washington State (23-10) to a .161 attack percentage. The Cougars held a 16.0 – 14.5 advantage in blocks, while Stanford posted seven aces and racked up 70 digs.
 
Two-time Pac-12 Player of the Year Kathryn Plummer led all players with her team-best ninth double-double of the season, finishing with 24 kills and 12 digs. It marked the eighth time this season she surpassed the 20-kill plateau.
 
Middle blocker Tami Alade brought the energy all match long, totaling 12 kills on 19 errorless swings to hit .632. The senior, who leads the nation in blocks per set, finished with a team-high nine against the Cougars.
 


Setter Jenna Gray controlled the offense with 52 assists. The junior matched her season-high with five kills on .444 hitting to go with seven digs and five blocks. For the eighth time this season, libero Morgan Hentz had 20 or more digs finishing with 25.
 
Freshman middle blocker Holly Campbell hit .421 with 10 kills and five blocks. Junior opposite Audriana Fitzmorris chipped in with 11 kills and four blocks, moving her into ninth place past Jenn Harvey (2000-03) on the Cardinal's career blocks list. Sophomore outside hitter Meghan McClure added seven kills, 11 digs and two aces.
 
Stanford amped up its service pressure in the third and fourth sets. Sophomore Sidney Wilson led the team with three aces. Defensive specialist Kate Formico added seven digs and an ace.
 
Washington State senior Taylor Mims led the Cougars with 17 kills, 10 digs and three blocks. Senior Claire Martin hit .400 and posted a match-high 10 blocks. Junior libero Alexis Dirige had a team-best 21 digs.
 
Stanford advances to its third straight regional final on Saturday. The top-seeded Cardinal takes on No. 8 seed Penn State at 7 p.m. on ESPNU.