Stanford finds its ACC footing before another home test

Stanford’s first ACC volleyball victory came with little time to rest on it. The No. 13 Cardinal swept Virginia Tech at Maples Pavilion on Friday, Oct. 2, before another home match against Virginia on Saturday night.

Stanford improved to 8–5 overall and 1–2 in conference play. The Cardinal hit .276 and held Virginia Tech to .064, the second-lowest hitting percentage by a Stanford opponent this season, according to the university’s match report.

Friday was Stanford’s first appearance at Maples since Sept. 6. The return home followed losses at SMU and Pittsburgh in the opening weekend of ACC play, both in straight sets.

For South Bay fans making plans to follow the Cardinal, Saturday’s match begins at 7 p.m. Pacific and will stream on ACCNX.

Analysis

One home victory cannot settle the questions raised by two conference road losses. It does give Stanford a useful defensive standard to pursue again. Keeping Virginia Tech’s attack at .064 reduced the pressure on the Cardinal’s own offense, while the sweep prevented a fourth or fifth set from adding to the workload before a quick turnaround. Saturday offers an immediate measure of that progress.

Jake Team Editorial

Sources

Stanford Athletics: October 2 Virginia Tech recap

Stanford Athletics: Virginia weekend preview and schedule