GULF SHORES, Ala. – Gritty victories over two top-eight opponents Saturday secured No. 1 Stanford’s first-ever appearance in the national championship dual match Sunday, as the Cardinal topped No. 8 California and No. 5 Florida State by matching scores of 3-1 in the quarterfinals and semifinals of the 2026 NCAA championship, respectively.
The Cardinal (39-4) will compete for the university’s second national championship this season Sunday against conference rival No. 3 UCLA. The teams have met four times this season, with each winning twice. The final match of the season will also decide the winner of the series between Stanford and UCLA.
Stanford's two victories marked its first-ever quarterfinal and semifinal wins at the NCAA Championship.
Stanford defeated Bay Area rival No. 8 California in the quarterfinals, earning an early advantage by winning the first set on courts two, three and five by at least a six-point margin. The Cardinal’s No. 2 and No. 3 pairs captured the first two match points with straight-set victories, besting the Golden Bears’ duos by matching scores of 21-14, 21-14. California added its lone point with a 21-15, 21-18 win on court one, but a second-set win by sophomore Indigo Clarke and Clara Stowell on court four and a California comeback attempt on court five pushed both courts to deciding third sets. Junior Chloe Hoffman and redshirt freshman Elena Fisher clinched the victory with a dominant third set, defeating Adishian and Yarich 21-15, 15-21, 15-6 to advance to the semifinals.
The Cardinal then faced No. 5 Florida State in their second match of the day, winning 3-1 to earn the program’s first bid to the national championship match. Stanford faced adversity early, dropping the first set on three of five courts, including an extra-point battle on court three and an extra-point win on court two. Stanford secured the first match point with a straight-set victory on court four as Clarke and Stowell defeated Massey and Higgins of FSU 21-11, 21-16. The Seminoles responded with a 21-17, 21-17 win on court one and forced a third set on court two with a 21-19 win in the second set. The contest came down to three-set matches on courts two, three and five, with Stanford needing to win two for the victory. Sophomores Charlotta Bell and Logan Tusher added the second match point with a 24-26, 21-19, 15-12 win on court three, and minutes later, juniors Ruby Sorra and Brooke Rockwell secured the match with a 29-27, 19-21, 15-10 win on court two.
Stanford will face No. 3 UCLA Sunday in the NCAA championship dual match, set for 9:30 a.m. PT (11:30 a.m. CT). The final match of the 2026 national title chase will be broadcast on ESPN.
No. 1 Stanford 3, No. 8 California 1
1. Emma Donley and Portia Sherman (CAL) def. Kelly Belardi and Avery Jackson (STAN) 21-15, 21-18
2. Brooke Rockwell and Ruby Sorra (STAN) def. Grace Hong and Marilu Pally (CAL) 21-14, 21-14
3. Charlotta Bell and Logan Tusher (STAN) def. Mila Vugrincic and Jenna Colligan (CAL) 21-14, 21-14
4. Indigo Clarke and Clara Stowell (STAN) vs. Gia Fisher and Ava Haughy (CAL) 11-21, 21-16, 13-7 UF
5. Elena Fisher and Chloe Hoffman (STAN) def. Bella Adishian and Mila Yarich (CAL) 21-15, 15-21, 15-6
Order of finish: 2, 3, 1, 5*
No. 1 Stanford 3, No. 5 Florida St. 1
1. Alexis Durish and Audrey Koenig (FSU) def. Kelly Belardi and Avery Jackson (STAN) 21-17, 21-17
2. Brooke Rockwell and Ruby Sorra (STAN) def. Gella Andrew and Maddie Trusty (FSU) 29-27, 19-21, 15-10
3. Charlotta Bell and Logan Tusher (STAN) def. Kenzie Hultquist and Iane Henke (FSU) 24-26, 21-19, 15-12
4. Indigo Clarke and Clara Stowell (STAN) def. Myriah Massey and Bailey Higgins (FSU) 21-11, 21-16
5. Elena Fisher and Chloe Hoffman (STAN) vs. Kyleene Filimaua and Saofe Duval (FSU) 15-21, 21-18, 14-12
Order of finish: 4, 1, 3, 2*