STANFORD, Calif. – The Stanford beach volleyball team will have six televised matches this season on Pac-12 Networks, the conference announced Wednesday.
The Cardinal hosts UC Davis at 1 p.m. and Boise State at 3 p.m. on March 23; Washington at 9 a.m. and UCLA at 1 p.m. on April 4; and Arizona at 11 a.m. and Cal at 3 p.m. on April 5.
Stanford opens the season on February 22 at Hawaii and will also play UCLA and LSU during the two-day trip. The team returns for its home opener on February 29 against St. Mary's and Arizona State.
Other home matches are against Utah and Hawaii on March 1; San Jose State, Santa Clara and Sacramento State on April 11; and USF on Senior Day on April 14.
Beginning its eighth season as a varsity sport, the Cardinal has 11 returnees from last year's 11-18 team, and welcomes five talented freshmen.
Sophomore Charlie Ekstrom was named All-Pac-12 second team in 2019 and made the Pac-12 All-Freshmen team. She secured 11 wins and teamed with fellow frosh Tori Ashkinos to record a 10-9 record playing as the No. 1 duo most of the season.
Juniors Sunny Villapando and Amelia Smith provide experience for the youthful squad. Villapando posted a 15-13 mark last year and ranks third in career victories with 38, while Smith went 14-13 and ranks seventh in career wins with 32.