GULF SHORES, Ala. – No. 1 Stanford began its run in the 2026 NCAA Championship with a 3-0 victory over No. 16 seed Chattanooga on Friday at Gulf Shores Beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
The Cardinal (37-4) earned its fourth program win at the NCAA Championship with the victory over Chattanooga.
Stanford took control of the match early, winning the first set on all five courts by at least five points. All of Stanford’s AVCA Top-Flight award-winning pairs clinched points for the opening-round victory. The Cardinal's No. 5 pair, redshirt freshman Elena Fisher and junior Chloe Hoffman, captured the first match point with a dominant 21-8, 21-8 win on Court 5. Stanford's No. 3 duo, sophomores Charlotta Bell and Logan Tusher, added the second point with a 21-13, 21-11 win on Court 3. Sophomore Indigo Clarke and junior Clara Stowell secured the dual with a 21-16, 21-12 decision on Court 4.
Stanford will face the winner of No. 8 seed California and No. 9 seed Long Beach State in the quarterfinals, set for Saturday at 7 a.m. PT/10 a.m. CT.
#1 Stanford 3, 16-seed Chattanooga 0
1. Kelly Belardi and Avery Jackson (STAN) vs. McKenna Faychak and Maddie Lecik (UTC)
21-10, 18-18 UF
2. Brooke Rockwell and Ruby Sorra (STAN) vs. Julia Lawrence and Corina Vale (UTC) 21-12, 17-15 UF
3. Charlotta Bell and Logan Tusher (STAN) def. Ansley Gulledge and Sydney Jackwin (UTC) 21-13, 21-11
4. Indigo Clarke and Clara Stowell (STAN) def. Taylor Clark and Ashli McKenny (UTC) 21-16, 21-12
5. Elena Fisher and Chloe Hoffman (STAN) def. Ava Goryl and Madeline McCabe (UTC) 21-8, 21-8
Order of finish: 5, 3, 4*