STANFORD, Calif. – Facing No. 5 USC for the second straight night, No. 14 Stanford fell short, 25-23, 17-25, 22-25, 21-25, Saturday, at Maples Pavilion.
Stanford (10-9, 2-4 MPSF) was held to a .286 team attack percentage, while USC (17-4, 4-2 MPSF) hit .353. The Trojans were also stingy on defense, registering 10.5 blocks and 44 digs.
Outside hitter Will Rottman led the Cardinal with 16 kills and matched his career-highs with 11 digs and four blocks. It was the second double-double of the season for the junior, who has registered double-digit digs in 11 consecutive matches.
WIDE OPEN net for Rottman ??
— Stanford Men's Volleyball (@StanfordMVB) March 27, 2022
?? » https://t.co/vos3kU56Na#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/44JUGMvZuY
Middle blocker Ethan Hill hit .750 with 12 kills on 16 errorless swings to go with four blocks. Outside hitter Kevin Lamp added 13 kills on .400 hitting, four digs and an ace.
Setter Nathan Lietzke dished out 38 assists and had seven digs and three kills. Libero Justin Lui racked up nine digs and had four assists for the Cardinal.
Opposite Luke Turner was limited to just four kills and posted six digs and an ace. Middle Blocker Nathaniel Gates finished with three kills and a block.
Oop ??
— Stanford Men's Volleyball (@StanfordMVB) March 27, 2022
?? » https://t.co/vos3kU56Na#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/U98gwzaiwP
USC was again led by Simon Gallas. The opposite registered 20 kills on .441 hitting to pace the Trojans. Outside hitter Sam Kobrine added 18 kills on a .316 attack percentage and eight digs. Libero Cole Paxson had a match-high 14 digs.
Up next, Stanford hits the road for a pair of matches at No. 9 Grand Canyon, Thursday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 4 p.m.