PHOENIX – Will Rottman set a school record, but No. 12 Stanford dropped a 25-20, 21-25, 25-20, 27-25 decision at No. 10 Grand Canyon, Saturday, at GCU Arena.
Rottman finished with a career-high 34 kills on .297 hitting – the most kills in a four-set match in the rally-scoring era in program history. The most kills by an MPSF player this season, It also tied for the second-most in a single match in the rally-scoring era by a Cardinal player.
After struggling offensively on Thursday, Stanford (10-11, 2-6 MPSF) registered 59 kills, hitting .230 as a team. Grand Canyon (16-9, 6-4 MPSF) hit .325 and out blocked the Cardinal 16.0 to 6.0.
The most kills in a four set match in the rally-scoring era in school history ????#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/g8X9tsxsg8
— Stanford Men's Volleyball (@StanfordMVB) April 3, 2022
Junior outside hitter Kevin Lamp turned in his second double-double of the season, matching his career highs in kills (14) and digs (12). Libero Justin Lui had a team-high 13 digs to go with a season-best eight assists.
Setter Nathan Lietzke totaled 46 assists, seven digs, two blocks, two kills and an ace. Opposite Luke Turner was held to six kills and had nine digs. The sophomore carried the load on serve receive, committing no errors on 45 attempts.
Stanford's middle blocker Ethan Hill and Nathaniel Gates were limited to three kills combined. Hill led the team with five blocks. Serving subs Adam Chang and Chris Kelly each had an ace for the Cardinal.
GCU had three players register double-digit kills as Camden Gianni, Christian Janke and Hugo Fischer each had 10. Libero Cole Udall had a match-high 14 digs for the Lopes.
Stanford returns to The Farm for its final regular season home matches, facing BYU on Friday and Saturday in Maples Pavilion.