STANFORD, Calif. – Despite missing two starters, No. 5 Stanford swept Oregon State, 25-20, 25-20, 25-9, to begin the second half of Pac-12 play, Friday, at Maples Pavilion.
The Cardinal (15-4, 9-2 Pac-12) improved to a perfect 70-0 all-time against the Beavers (9-13, 3-8 Pac-12). Stanford hit .367 as a team and held Oregon State to a .140 clip.
Junior outside hitter Meghan McClure led all players with 11 kills on .370 hitting and five digs. Senior opposite Audriana Fitzmorris added nine kills on .500 hitting and four blocks. Fitzmorris also registered her fifth service ace of the season on match point.
Stanford was without senior Kathryn Plummer, who missed her ninth straight match, and freshman Kendall Kipp.
Redshirt junior Michaela Keefe came off the bench to record three kills, but was replaced in the second set by freshman Natalie Berty, who saw the first action of her career. Berty, a native of Corona del Mar, was spectacular, posting eight kills on 10 errorless swings to hit .800.
When you get your first collegiate kill ever. ????@StanfordWVB swept Oregon State and freshman Natalie Berty's first kill for the Cardinal earns the @OpusBank #12Best Moment! pic.twitter.com/1nkvqbUrlt
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) November 2, 2019
Senior Morgan Hentz racked up 21 digs in the three sets. The libero also tallied three aces, all in the first set. Senior setter Jenna Gray controlled the offense with 32 assists and added three aces of her own.
Sophomore Holly Campbell led the team with five blocks, while senior Madeleine Gates chipped in with five kills. Junior defensive specialist Kate Formico collected 10 digs.
The Cardinal allowed just nine points in a set by its opponent for the second time this year – also doing so at Charleston in the season opener.
Oregon State was led by freshman Cecilee Max-Brown's nine kills, while junior Maddie Goings added seven kills and nine digs.
Stanford wraps up the weekend on Sunday against Oregon. First serve is slated for 2 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks.