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Stanford senior outside hitter Alix Klineman helped make a little history and was rewarded for that by being named the Pac-10 Women’s Volleyball Player of the Week for the second time in three weeks.
Klineman led the Cardinal as it made history this past weekend at the inaugural Nike Big Four Volleyball Classic in Gainesville, Fla. The Cardinal swept No. 5 Texas on Sept. 10, and then defeated No. 1 Penn State in three sets in the championship match to remain undefeated on the season.
Klineman’s efforts, along with those of her teammates, elevated Stanford to No. 1 in the nation in this week’s AVCA Top 25 poll. The Cardinal received 1,498 points while former Penn State fell to No. 2 with 1,426.
Stanford’s win over Penn State snapped the Nittany Lions’ win streak of 109 straight victories, the second- longest streak in NCAA history for any sport. The Cardinal was also the last team to defeat Penn State, back in 2007 when Klineman was a freshman.
A native of Manhattan Beach, Klineman led all players against Texas with 10 kills, nine digs, three blocks and two aces. In the championship against Penn State, she recorded her third double-double of the season and again led all players with 16 kills and 10 digs.
For her efforts, Klineman was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, marking the third-consecutive week she has walked away with that honor.
Klineman became the 10th player in Stanford history to register 1,500 career kills and now has 1,515 and counting.
This is Klineman’s fifth-career Pac-10 Player of the Week honor, and the 71st for Stanford all-time.
Up next for Stanford will be road matches at St. Mary’s on Friday and at San Francisco on Saturday, both at 7 p.m.
Thomas named Defensive Player of the Week
Stanford junior safety Michael Thomas was named Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Week following his effort in Stanford’s 35-0 victory at UCLA Saturday.
Thomas finished the game with five total tackles and two forced fumbles, including one he returned 21 yards for a touchdown that gave Stanford a 28-0 at the end of the third quarter.
Thomas became the first Stanford player to run a fumble back for a touchdown since Michael Craven ran 54 yards against UC Davis in 2005.
Field hockey
No. 19 Stanford beat Robert Morris, 5-1, Monday in Kent, Ohio, completing a sweep of its three-game, four-day road trip.
The Cardinal (5-1, 2-0 NorPac) won its third straight since a 3-2 setback against No. 7 Michigan State.
Stephanie Byrne scored a goal 10 seconds into the game, with to an assist from Colleen Ryan.
It was all Stanford from that point, as the Cardinal outshot Robert Morris, 18-2, while holding an 8-1 edge in penalty corners.
Freshmen Elise Ogle and Hope Burke scored their second goals of the season, giving Stanford a 3-0 lead through the first 20 minutes.
Robert Morris cut the lead to 3-1 after a goal from Carole Vlerick in the 21st minute, but Stanford received scores from Katherine Swank and Devon Holman. Ogle added an assist while Becky Dru led all players with four shot attempts.
Julia LaSalvia earned the victory in the cage, making one save in the process.
Stanford hosts Cal in a key conference matchup Sunday at 1 p.m.
— Palo Alto Online Sports
— Palo Alto Online Sports
— Palo Alto Online Sports