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Stanford goalkeeper Aly Gleason was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday for her play in a pair of victories last weekend at the Santa Clara Classic.

Gleason, a redshirt junior from Atwater, Calif., played a part in two shutouts, a 1-0 victory over No. 15 and previously unbeaten San Diego State, and a 4-0 victory over UNC Greensboro.

Gleason saved the San Diego State match on Friday by diving to her left to make a spectacular save of a hard shot from the penalty area in the second half. It was one of several fine saves for Gleason, who is getting her first extended playing time of her collegiate career. She made five saves altogether, including another difficult diving stop against SDSU.

Gleason also had a perfect slate in her 63 minutes of Sunday's 4-0 victory over UNC Greensboro, though Stanford did not face a shot for the first time in school history.

Gleason, a two-sport standout at Stanford who also plays rugby, was named to the all-tournament team.

Stanford has now registered four consecutive shutouts and Gleason has a goals-against average of 0.59.

In related news, Stanford senior midfielder Mariah Nogueira has been selected as a candidate for the Senior CLASS Award for women's soccer.

The award honors student-athletes who excel in the classroom, in the community, and on the field. Nogueira certainly fits that description.

Women's volleyball
Sixth-ranked Stanford opens Pac-12 play Wednesday night with a match against visiting California at 7 p.m.

While setter Karissa Cook and outside hitter Rachel Williams work themselves back from injuries, freshmen Madi Bugg and Inky Ajanaku have filled in without a hitch.

Bugg averages 8.88 assists per set (Cook averages 8.86) and Ajanaku averages 2.20 kills per set (Williams averages 1.80).

Of the 15 players on the roster, 13 has started at least one match this season and libero Kyle Gilbert is technically a starter, leading the team with 123 digs.

Stanford (8-2) has outhit its opponents by a .301 to .172 margin thus far.

The Cardinal has won six straight after losing two in a row.

As is normally the case, all 12 conference teams enter play this week with a winning record. California (6-4), which reached the NCAA title game two years ago, has the worst winning percentage.

USC (12-0), Washington (9-0) and Oregon (9-0) are undefeated, while UCLA (8-1) has one loss. Arizona State (11-2), Colorado (10-2), Oregon State (10-2) and Washington State (10-2) each has a pair of setbacks while Arizona (8-3) comes into Pac-12 play with three losses.

Utah (8-4) hosts the Cardinal on Friday at 6 p.m.

— Palo Alto Online Sports

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