STANFORD, Calif. – (2) Stanford began its quest for a 10th national title last week, sweeping Sacramento State and (7) LMU at home. The tournament’s No. 5 overall seed, Stanford has advanced to its 21st NCAA regional semifinal since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1998.
Thursday, Dec. 12
Match #1 – 4 p.m. PT | ESPN2
(6) Florida (23-7) vs. (2) Stanford (27-4)
Freedom Hall • Louisville, Ky.
Match #2 – 6:30 p.m. PT | ESPN2
(4) Purdue (27-6) vs. (1) Louisville (27-5)
Freedom Hall • Louisville, Ky.
Saturday, Dec. 14
Match #3 – 4:30 p.m. PT | ESPN2
Winner Match #1 vs. Winner Match #2
Freedom Hall • Louisville, Ky.
LOOKING AHEAD: Should Stanford advance past this week, the team will remain in Louisville for the Final Four, being held Dec. 19 and 22 at the KFC Yum! Center.
LAST TIME OUT: Stanford opened the NCAA Tournament with a pair of sweeps at home over Sacramento State and (7) LMU. The Cardinal hit a combined .467 in the two matches – the highest hitting percentage by any team in the nation through the first two rounds. Setter Kami Miner averaged 12.17 assists per set, while outside hitter Elia Rubin paced the team with 5.00 kills and 6.00 points per set.
PREVIEWING FLORIDA: Stanford is 3-1 overall against Florida in the NCAA Tournament. The Gators won the most recent meeting – a five-set victory in the 2017 NCAA national semifinals in Kansas City. Stanford’s most recent win in the postseason came in the 2014 NCAA regional final in Ames, Iowa. The Cardinal is 9-6 all-time against the Gators. (6) Florida advanced to the regional semifinals by sweeping NC State in the opening round before knocking off (3) Kansas in five sets. Kennedy Martin led the Gators during the opening weekend, ranking third nationally in kills per set (6.38) and points per set (7.19).
STANFORD VS. THE FIELD: The Cardinal has played 17 matches against this year’s NCAA field, posting a 13-4 record. Stanford was 7-3 against ACC teams in the tournament and has picked up nonconference wins over (2) Wisconsin, (3) Kentucky, (3) Texas and (6) Minnesota, (7) LMU and Sacramento State.
BY THE NUMBERS: Stanford has won more NCAA titles (9), more NCAA Tournament matches (140), made more Final Four appearances (23) and been in the national championship match (17) more times than any other program in the nation. The Cardinal has qualified for 43 of the 44 NCAA Tournaments all-time.
HOME SWEET HOME: In eight seasons under Kevin Hambly, Stanford is 100-12 at Maples Pavilion, including 20-2 in…
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