AUSTIN, Texas — Second-ranked Stanford simply took it to No. 7 Texas on Sunday.
After battling to 25-23, 25-20 victories in the first two sets, the Cardinal cruised in the third 25-15, hitting .444 in the set with 15 kills and three errors in 27 attacks. Texas had eight kills and seven errors in 22 swings in the third.
“I think it was cool to see us, after the loss to Florida, bounce back,” said Stanford coach Kevin Hambly, whose team improved to 3-1. Stanford opened with victories at Northern Colorado and Colorado State, but got swept at home by Florida this past Tuesday.
Stanford hit .396 in one of the more highly anticipated matches of the young NCAA season. Texas, which dropped to 2-2, hit .130.
“I think that’s a really good offensive team, so that’s what I’m really happiest about,” Hambly said. “We competed on defense.”
Stanford of the Pac-12 held a 13-6 blocking advantage and had four aces — and 14 errors — to two by Texas.
As usual, right side Kendall Kipp led Stanford, this time with 15 kills while hitting .343. She had an assist, seven blocks and 10 digs.
The outsides came up big. Caitie Baird, who missed the first three matches, had 12 kills with one error in 24 attacks, an assist, an ace, four blocks and five digs.
“It’s great to have her back,” setter Kami Miner said.
Elia Rubin had 14 kills with two errors in 24 swings to hit .500 and added two aces, a block and five digs.
“Our outsides got going,” Hambly said. “They made really good choices, when to swing high, when to take a seam, and I thought it was a good effort all around.”
Middle Sami Francis had five kills in nine errorless swings and three blocks and the other middle, McKenna Vicini, had no kills and an error in six attacks but a match-high eight blocks.
Miner was magnificent. She had a kill, 35 assists, an ace and three blocks.
“Kami did what Kami does,” Hambly said. “She’s so good.”
Miner also had a match-high 14 digs. Libero Elena Oglivie had 10 digs and six assists.
“It’s so exciting to be here,” Miner said as a sold-out crowd of 4,707 emptied out of Gregory Gym. “I’ve been looking forward to coming back here since we played here last in my freshman year. There’s nothing like the environment here … I’m so proud of our group and what we accomplished today.”
Texas got 12 kills from Madisen Skinner, but she had nine errors and hit .083 to…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Volleyballmag.com…