May 9, 2007
SEASON WRAP-UP:The Stanford Men's Volleyball program ended its 2007 campaign with a 3-25 overall record, while going 2-20 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF). Highlights for the Cardinal include a season sweep over UC San Diego as well as a victory against non-conference opponent Quincy. The MPSF was once again the strongest conference in the country, with ten teams from the conference represented in the Top 15 CSTV/AVCA Coaches Poll. UC Irvine ended the season with both the MPSF Title and the National Championship.
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS: Freshman setter Kawika Shoji led the Cardinal with 19 service aces, and contributed a team-high 154 digs (2.00 digs per game). Shoji also led Stanford with 499 assists as the starting setter, before switching to outside hitter midway through the season, during which time he added 159 kills (.243 kills per game). Sophomore middle blocker Brandon Williams and freshman middle Garrett Werner were the defensive leaders in total blocks, with 67 and 66 respectively, as well as blocks per game (0.92 and 0.96). Freshman middle blocker Evan Romero led the squad offensively with a team-high 299 kills on the season.*
POST-SEASON HONORS: Freshman Kawika Shoji received All-MPSF honorable mention for his efforts during his first collegiate campaign at both the setter and outside hitter positions.
A LOOK FORWARD:Stanford will lose one player, senior libero Brian Lindberg, to graduation. The Cardinal will return 12 players from their current roster including junior outside hitter Jesse Meredith, who suffered a season-ending injury against UC Santa Barbara on January 13. In addition, Stanford will welcome five freshmen to the team in the fall. Head Coach John Kosty will look for newcomers Ian Connolly, Garrett Dobbs, Charley Henrikson, Jordan Inafuku, and Spencer McLachlin to make an immediate impact on this young Cardinal squad.
*Statistics based on 22 conference games played.