BERKELEY, Calif. – In the Pac-12 opener for both teams, No. 5 Stanford swept California, 25-23, 25-21, 25-22, Wednesday, at Haas Pavilion.
Stanford (6-3, 1-0 Pac-12) improves to 6-0 on the road this season - the most road victories in the country. The Cardinal improved to 81-12 all-time against the Golden Bears (7-4, 0-1 Pac-12).
Stanford's pin hitters led the way offensively as the Cardinal hit .346 as a team. Opposite Kendall Kipp had a match-high 16 kills on a .375 attack percentage, while outside hitters Caitie Baird and Elia Rubin had 14 kills apiece.
.@caitiebaird_ loves a free ball ??
— Stanford Women's Volleyball (@StanfordWVB) September 22, 2022
?? » https://t.co/wwoYo9hzA2#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/kqecWru3FE
Setter Kami Miner controlled the offense with 43 assists, and had seven digs, three blocks and an ace. Libero Elena Oglivie, the reigning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week, collected a team-high 12 digs and had three assists.
Middle blocker McKenna Vicini had a hand in five of Stanford's eight blocks. Junior Annabelle Smith made her first start of the season at middle blocker, filling in for an unavailable Sami Francis. Smith totaled four kills on .444 hitting and three blocks.
Hustle plays ?? @KippKendall
— Stanford Women's Volleyball (@StanfordWVB) September 22, 2022
?? » https://t.co/wwoYo9hzA2#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/VDyzYifN3z
Cal was led by Lydia Grote and Sam Taumoepeau, who tallied 10 kills each. Libero Tara DeSa had a match-high 14 digs for the Bears.
Stanford remains on the road this weekend, traveling to No. 21 Oregon on Sunday. First serve is slated for Noon on Pac-12 Networks.