Preview: Big Spike Week for No. 5 Stanford Women’s Volleyball vs. Cal
On Wednesday, November 20th at 7:00 PM PT on ACCNX, No. 5 Stanford women’s volleyball will welcome Cal to Maples Pavilion for Big Spike. There will be a rematch in Berkeley on Sunday, November 23rd at 1:00 PM PT on ACCNX. So this is kind of a unique week. The Big Game between Stanford and Cal football will be played Saturday at 4:30 PM PT on ACC Network, so the volleyball kinda helps kick off the rivalry week.
Stanford comes in at 23-4 overall and 14-2 in the ACC while Cal comes in at 7-19 overall and 4-12 in the ACC.
Last time out: After a huge win over No. 3 Pitt on Friday, Stanford fell to No. 10 SMU on Sunday in four sets. It seems like the Pitt match really drained the Cardinal.
RECAP: No. 5 Stanford women’s volleyball falls to No. 10 SMU
On Cal: The Golden Bears have had a rough season overall, but they’ve made some strides from years past. They got a win over a ranked Miami team at home earlier this season and took the opening set off Pitt on Sunday. They are hoping to finally turn the corner as a program as head coach Jen Malcolm enters her second season at the helm.
The Bears are led by senior outside hitter Peyton DeJardin, who is averaging 2.73 kills per set while hitting .150. Freshman outside hitter Arissa Carbonara (2.28 kills), senior middle blocker Mikayla Hayden (2.26 kills), and sophomore outside hitter Dominique Phills (2.13 kills) are also averaging 2+ kills per set, so the Bears have some depth there.
While their record isn’t great, Cal is more dangerous than they’ve been in the past. They do seem to finally be finding their footing a bit as a program after the disastrous Sam Crosson years. So Stanford better be ready.
Keys to the match: For Stanford, it starts with putting good service pressure on the Bears. When Stanford is serving the rock well, that sets the tone for everything. If they keep their service pressure up, I like their odds of winning this match.
Secondly, Stanford needs to feed the middles. Lizzy Andrew and Erika Sayer have been fantastic all year in the middle. If those two get going, it’ll be lights out for the Bears.
Finally, Stanford needs to get a strong performance from Elia Rubin and Jordyn Harvey. If those two outside hitters are grooving, Stanford will be fine.
Prediction: I gotta roll with the Cardinal in straight sets at Maples. As for the return match in Berkeley at Haas Pavilion, I think Cal takes a set off Stanford. Stanford in four in that one.
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