STANFORD, Calif. – Jaylen Jasper's double-double of 17 kills and 10 digs helped No. 8 Stanford to a 25-23, 25-22, 22-25, 25-23 nonconference men's volleyball victory over No. 15 Purdue Fort Wayne at Maples Pavilion on Friday night.
Stanford (6-1) equaled its victory total of last season while playing in front of a collection of players from its 2010 national championship team, including hard-hitting opposite Evan Romero, now living in New York City.
Stanford overcame deficits of four points or more in both the second and fourth sets. In the decisive fourth, Stephen Moye's attack was deflected off the top of the block and was unable to be retrieved, giving the Cardinal a 24-23 lead. A Purdue Fort Wayne hitting error closed the match.
Jordan Ewert had 15 kills, nine digs, and four blocks. In the second set, Ewert had back-to-back stuff blocks to help Stanford wipe out a 10-5 deficit.
Jasper provided several highlights, including through his defense. During one long fourth-set rally, Jasper scrambled to the bench twice to keep the ball in play and went to the ground for a dig, only for Purdue Fort Wayne to pull out the point. Among Jasper's blocks was one that evened the score at 11-11 in the fourth, after the Cardinal had fallen behind, 10-6.
Jasper's most memorable kill came by accident. To open the fourth set, Jasper's attack was blocked back at him. The ball deflected off Jasper's shoulder, cleared the net and fell to the floor for a point.
Stanford setter Paul Bischoff had 14 assists and kept the Mastodons honest with a couple of quick dump shots. Such plays were pivotal in a match in which each set was decided by three points or fewer.
Stanford and Purdue Fort Wayne (4-3) meet again on Saturday at Burnham Pavilion, with the first serve at 7 p.m., in the finale of an eight-match season-opening homestand.