April 20, 2010
STANFORD, Calif. - It's not often a conference player of the week honor goes to a libero, but that was the case for Stanford sophomore Erik Shoji, who overcame an illness to help the Cardinal win the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation championship on the final day of the regular season.
Shoji had 15 digs each day as Stanford split back-to-back five-set road matches at UCLA and UC Irvine. Before each match, Shoji was hooked up to an I.V., attempting to hydrate himself as he suffered from the flu and a fever.
Shoji's status was in doubt up until game time each day, but the returning All-American never came off the court, and even had five assists against UC Irvine in the season finale, to key Stanford in the title clincher.
Stanford (19-6) plays No. 7 UC Irvine (15-14), the defending national champion, again on Saturday in the first round of the MPSF Tournament at Maples Pavilion, at 7 p.m. Stanford is ranked No. 1 in the nation.