Stanford University’s women’s volleyball team secured a win against Long Beach State on Friday at Walter Pyramid, coming back after losing the first set to claim victory in four sets: 18-25, 25-19, 25-16, and 25-20. With this result, Stanford’s season record improved to 2-1.
Stanford posted a .244 attack percentage for the match and showed stronger performances in the second and fourth sets with hitting percentages of .400 and .343 respectively. Long Beach State, playing its season opener, finished with a .218 hitting percentage, along with 51 digs, seven blocks, and three aces.
Freshman Erika Sayer led Stanford’s offense with a career-high 10 kills on a .529 attack percentage. She also contributed five blocks. Outside hitter Ipar Kurt added nine kills as well as two blocks and an ace.
The Cardinal recorded a season-best eight aces during the match. Senior Elia Rubin served six of those aces—a personal best—while also adding six kills, four digs, two blocks, and two assists after entering play in the second set. Middle blocker Lizzy Andrew had eight kills on 19 attempts with only one error and also provided two digs and two blocks.
Stanford began the match using a 6-2 offensive system but shifted to a 5-1 formation in the second set with sophomore Taylor Yu as setter. Yu achieved her first collegiate double-double by tallying 33 assists and 13 digs. She also had four kills, an ace, and one block.
Libero Spencer Etzler registered a match-high 14 digs along with two assists. Freshman Logan Parks finished with eight kills, five assists, two blocks, and matched her career-best mark of seven digs.
For Long Beach State, Elise Agi led all players with 14 kills on .324 hitting while contributing eight digs, three blocks, and an ace. Teammate Logan King added 13 kills along with nine digs, four blocks, and two aces.
With this win, Stanford now holds a 17-2 all-time record against Long Beach State.
Stanford will face Oregon State next at Walter Pyramid on Saturday at 7 p.m.
