AUSTIN, Texas – No. 2 Stanford bounced back in a big way, sweeping No. 7 Texas, 25-23, 25-20, 25-15, in its home opener, Sunday, at Gregory Gymnasium.
Playing in front of a sold out crowd, Stanford (3-1) hit a season-best .396 as a team, while holding Texas (2-2) to a .130 clip. The Cardinal put on a defensive clinic, racking up 44 digs and a season-high 13.0 blocks. It was the first win in Austin for the Cardinal since Sept. 14, 2018, and the first road sweep over the Longhorns in program history.
Setter Kami Miner controlled the offense with 35 assists and collected a season-high 14 digs for her third straight double-double. The junior also tallied three digs and an ace. Opposite Kendall Kipp had a match-high 15 kills on .343 hitting, and had season-bests in digs (10) and blocks (7).
.@caitiebaird_ is back ??
— Stanford Women's Volleyball (@StanfordWVB) September 3, 2023
?? » https://t.co/TCOoImyyaP #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/5jE8b7I6o4
Redshirt senior outside hitter Caitie Baird made her season debut, recording 12 kills on a .458 attack percentage, five digs, four blocks and an ace. Sophomore Elia Rubin added 14 kills on .500 hitting – matching her career-high in attack percentage. The outside hitter also posted five digs, a block and two aces.
Redshirt senior McKenna Vicini registered a match and season-best eight blocks, while junior Sami Francis had five kills on nine errorless swings (.556) to go with three blocks. Senior libero Elena Oglivie collected 10 digs and had six assists.
NOPE ?????
— Stanford Women's Volleyball (@StanfordWVB) September 3, 2023
?? » https://t.co/TCOoImyyaP #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/VopgJ8uO8y
Texas was led by Madisen Skinner's 12 kills and seven digs, while Jenna Wenaas chipped in with 11 kills and three digs. The Longhorns finished with 38 digs, 6.0 blocks and two aces.
Stanford remains on the road, traveling to Houston to play No. 18 Rice on Tuesday. The match is slated for 4 p.m. PT on ESPN+.