STANFORD, Calif. – Four Cardinal recorded double-digit kills to lead No. 5 Stanford in a 25-16, 25-27, 25-17, 25-20 win over Arizona, Saturday, in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Maples Pavilion.
Stanford (29-4) advances to its 22nd NCAA regional semifinal since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1998. It is the seventh Sweet 16 appearance for the Cardinal under ninth-year head coach Kevin Hambly, The Montag Family Director of Women’s Volleyball.
Outside hitter Elia Rubin, playing in her final match at Maples Pavilion, turned in her 12th double-double of the season with 14 kills and 10 digs. The senior also tallied two aces, a block and three assists.
Outside hitter Julia Blyashov led Stanford with 15 kills to go with eight digs, two blocks and two aces. Freshman middle blocker Erika Sayer hit .300 with 11 kills and eight blocks, including three of the solo variety.
Saturday marked the first meeting between Stanford and Arizona in the postseason since 2002. The Cardinal is now 77-10 all-time against the Wildcats and improved to 22-2 at home in the NCAA Tournament under Hambly.
Sophomore Taylor Yu dished out a career-high 53 assists as Stanford hit .264 as a team. The setter also collected 11 digs, two kills, two blocks and an ace for her fourth double-double.
Libero Spencer Etzler anchored the defense with a match-high 24 digs – one shy of her career-high. The freshman also put down three aces and had three assists. In two NCAA Tournament matches, Etzler is averaging 4.50 digs and 0.88 aces per set.
Middle blocker Lizzy Andrew hit .636 with seven kills on 11 errorless swings to go with a pair of blocks. Opposite Jordyn Harvey finished with 14 kills, five digs and two blocks.
(2) Stanford takes on (3) Wisconsin on Friday at approximately 11:30 a.m. PT following (1) Texas versus (4) Indiana at 9 a.m. PT. Both matches will be televised on ESPN.