Stanford volleyball claims another upset over No. 2 Nebraska

Going into its away match in opposition to No. 2 Nebraska (7-1, 0-0 Massive Ten) on Tuesday night time, No. 9 Stanford girls’s volleyball (5-2, 0-0 Pac-12) had a tricky act to observe. Simply three days earlier than, the Cardinal had earned probably the most important upset of their season so far with a four-set win over then-No. 3 Minnesota (4-2, 0-0 Massive Ten).

However Stanford as soon as once more offered its potential to compete with and beat top-ranked groups, prevailing over the Huskers 3-1 and lengthening its report on the highway to 5-0.

The groups locked into a good battle early within the first set, exchanging factors earlier than Nebraska managed to tug away to a 13-9 lead. Prime-notch play from the Cardinal lineup saved them inside placing distance, however the Huskers managed to carry them off and retain a slim lead. 

That was till back-to-back kills from freshman exterior Elia Rubin introduced Stanford inside one, 21-22. Though Nebraska refused to again down within the factors that adopted, the Cardinal continued to chip away on the Husker benefit and located themselves with set level at 24-23. Stanford was then denied the set twice. However with the rating tied at 25, it was Nebraska that made two consecutive errors to gift-wrap set one for the Cardinal, 27-25.

Stanford appeared to capitalize as they jumped out to an early benefit within the second set. Although the Huskers managed to pressure a number of ties, they by no means took the lead. Rubin broke the ultimate tie at 20-all with a kill, and from there the group’s composure held sturdy. Although their lead remained slim and Nebraska allowed little respiratory room, a kill from redshirt junior exterior Caitie Baird introduced on set level. The Cardinal transformed it a pair factors later to take the set 25-22 after one other Husker error.

Each groups have been serving aggressively — by night time’s finish, they might rack up 37 service errors between them — however after the primary two units, it appeared that Stanford was executing extra constantly when it counted.

After staying neck-and-neck with the Cardinal for a lot of the third set, Nebraska went on an impressed run to win seven of the final eight factors. Two service aces from Nebraska’s Whitney Lauenstein closed out the set 25-19 and killed Stanford’s hopes of a sweep.

Nonetheless up 2-1 however understanding the depth of Nebraska’s group, the Cardinal fought arduous from the primary serve to make set 4 the final one. After 15 totally different tied scores and a relentless battle for the lead, Baird discovered set level for Stanford 24-23. Nevertheless, two kills from Nebraska’s Lindsay Krause shortly flipped the script and compelled the Cardinal to defend in opposition to the opportunity of a fifth deciding set.

Senior reverse Kendall Kipp stepped up for Stanford, tipping the ball quick and out of attain for the Huskers’ protection to tie the rating at 25. Subsequent it was Rubin, who introduced on set level together with her thirteenth kill of the match. A vital dig from sophomore setter Kami Miner saved the final level alive, and Kipp tooled a block to say the set 27-25, and the upset 3-1.

Kipp led the Cardinal with 15 kills, whereas Rubin completed with a career-high 13 and Baird with 10. Miner had 41 assists, whereas junior libero Elena Oglive recorded a match-high 21 digs. Sophomore Sami Francis and redshirt junior McKenna Vicini, each center blockers, posted 5 blocks apiece.

Stanford will return residence to face No. 3 Louisville (7-1, 0-0) on Saturday, Sept. 17. First serve in Maples Pavilion is scheduled for 7 p.m.