STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford kicks off its 2019 regular season this weekend in Honolulu, Hawaii, at the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Beach Classic, where the Cardinal will face No. 1 UCLA, No. 4 Pepperdine, No. 5 Hawai'i and Saint Mary's.
The Cardinal, led by third-year head coach Andrew Fuller, enters this year's campaign ranked 11thin the nation, according to the American Volleyball Coaches Association preseason poll. Stanford's No. 11 ranking is six spots higher than its preseason ranking in 2018.
"Beach volleyball is very much tied into the lifestyle and culture of the Islands", said Fuller. "Playing in Honolulu at Queens Beach, immersed in the culture and history of our sport, creates a fun atmosphere to play in, especially for our opening weekend." The Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Beach Classic
| Date | Time (PT) | Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, Feb. 23 | 11 a.m. | No. 1 UCLA |
| Saturday, Feb. 23 | 2 p.m. | No. 4 Pepperdine |
| Sunday, Feb. 24 | 2 p.m. | Saint Mary's |
| Sunday, Feb. 24 | 5 p.m. | No. 5 Hawai'i |
Five freshmen join the Cardinal for the 2019 season: Tori Ashkinos, Maddie Dailey, Melissa Daniel, Charlie Ekstrom, and Jordan McKinney. Stanford welcomes back a large group of returners: Kat Anderson, Courtney Bowen, Morgan Hentz, Chelsea Red-Horse Mohl, Shannon Richardson, Blake Sharp, Amelia Smith and Sunny Villapando.
Bowen is the team's lone senior this season. She finished last season with a program single-season record, 23 wins and was named to the Pac-12 All-Academic second team.
"Bowen's net presence is awesome", said Fuller. "But it is her joy of learning, which she brings to every practice and competition, that is the hallmark of her athletic career thus far."
The rest of Stanford's 2019 spring schedule features 10 home events at the Stanford Beach Volleyball Stadium and five matches to be broadcasted on the Pac-12 Networks.
To close out the regular season, Stanford will travel to Los Angeles to compete in the Pac-12 Championship, hosted by USC.