STANFORD, Calif. – Stanford's 2020 season came to an unexpected close in mid-March due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The Cardinal wrapped up its shortened campaign at 6-7 overall, winning six of its last eight games.
Not the way we envisioned our season ending, but through the ups and downs, we have this team and community. Together we will persevere. #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/BFIPOO5JfV
— Stanford Beach Volleyball (@StanfordBeachVB) March 19, 2020
Stanford played more than half of its games against top-five ranked opponents in 2020. The Cardinal opened its season in Honolulu at the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Beach Classic where it faced No. 1 UCLA, No. 3 LSU and No. 5 Hawai'i. Tori Ashkinos was honored by the tournament with the Aloha Spirit Award.
Ohana means family ?? #GoStanford
A post shared by Stanford Beach Volleyball (@stanfordbeachvb) on Feb 24, 2020 at 10:55am PST
In the home opener, Stanford won three-of-four matchups, including the Cardinal's biggest win of the year, defeating No. 19 Arizona State 4-1 on Feb. 29.
Stanford wins its 2nd match of the day!
— Stanford Beach Volleyball (@StanfordBeachVB) March 1, 2020
1?? Ekstrom/Villapando 21-11, 21-14 ?
2?? Ashkinos/Kriz 18-21, 21-19, 15-9 ?
3?? Dailey/Smith 21-16, 21-16 ?
4?? Richardson/Sharp 18-21, 19-21 ??
5?? Berty/Red-Horse Mohl 15-21, 21-19, 15-8 ?#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/xCkp9JKbmG
The Cardinal traveled to Los Angeles for the Pac-12 South Invitational, where it also went three-for-four against Pac-12 opponents.
Stanford was led by its No. 1 pair of Charlie Ekstrom and Sunny Villapando, who had a team-high seven victories. Stanford's No. 3 pairing of Maddie Dailey and Amelia Smith finished with the team's best win percentage (.600).
The future is bright on The Farm, as the lineup regularly featured five underclassmen, including two freshmen.
Sunny Villapando finished the year ranked third on Stanford's all-time individual wins list and is only five wins behind the leader, Morgan Hentz. Amelia Smith (38) is tied for fourth, Shannon Richardson (30) ranks eighth, and Kat Anderson ranks ninth on the list.
Stanford had been set to honor its three seniors, Kat Anderson, Chelsea Red-Horse Mohl, and Shannon Richardson, for Senior Day on April 11. The Cardinal instead recognized the three during a virtual Senior Day.
We love you, @chelsearedhorse! ?? #SeniorDay #GoStanford
A post shared by Stanford Beach Volleyball (@stanfordbeachvb) on Apr 11, 2020 at 9:42am PDT
We love you, @shannonrichardson_9! ?? #SeniorDay #GoStanford
A post shared by Stanford Beach Volleyball (@stanfordbeachvb) on Apr 11, 2020 at 9:41am PDT
We love you, @kat_anderson11! ?? #SeniorDay #GoStanford
A post shared by Stanford Beach Volleyball (@stanfordbeachvb) on Apr 11, 2020 at 9:39am PDT
Head coach Andrew Fuller has led the Cardinal to a 47-48 overall record in four seasons. The 2020 season was Stanford's eighth in program history.