03-02-2025, 09:01 AM
(03-01-2025, 11:55 AM)Mick Wrote: Stanford had three relatively easy match wins over Vanguard and UC-Merced over the past 10 days.
Vanguard is a full, NCAA Division 2 team (like UC San Diego used to be...in 2020, UC-SD transferred to D-1) having transferred from NAIA and this is their first year in the MPSF. Stanford had a bit of a scare in the first match, losing the first set 22-25, then winning three with comparative ease (25-21, 25-17 and 25-17). Stanford hit .404 as a team, best in a very long time. Only 29 total errors in four games, just about unheard of. Kosty emptied the bench as seldom used players had a chance to play.
The next day was a bit tougher, though Stanford won in straight sets. Scores 26-24, 25-14 and 29-27. 34 errors in three sets, Stanford's hitting fell to .263.
Stanford beat the Golden Bobcats of UC-Merced, their first year in D2. 25-19, 25-19, 25-22. Stanford hit .280. 32 overall errors. Kosty emptied the bench again. Lineup was McFall (.375), Kneisl (.381), Brito (.280), Mandelbaum (.200), Gant (23 assists as backup setter), Wolff (.091), Schmitt (.000) and DuRoss (.000).
Stanford plays UC-San Diego at 6 p.m. at Burnham Pavilion today.
Stanford lost to UC-SD in five sets *(26-24, 22-25, 25-22, 22-25, 11-15) in front of 894 fans. The two Theos had a good day. Theoren Brouillette had three service aces and two service errors with 16 digs and 52 assists. Theo Snoey hit .357 with 22 kills, 7 errors.
Moses Wagner had a rough day, hitting .171 with 7 errors and 13 kills. Theo did better at .357, but Stanford overall hit .254 against UC-SD's .339. UC-SD's defense was tough, 12 blocks to Stanford's six. Stanford had 56 overall errors to UC-SD's 48.
This was Stanford's third five-set loss in the last seven matches. The overall record is 7-6.
At least the schedule gets easier. Stanford plays #2 UCLA at UCLA this Thursday and Friday.
Audaces fortuna iuvat