Okogbaa, Browne lead Stanford women to volleyball victory

With All-American Alix Klineman taking a breather, senior middle blocker Janet Okogbaa and redshirt sophomore Stephanie Browne stepped up to fill the void as the fifth-ranked Stanford women’s volleyball team downed Denver, 25-22, 25-23, 25-20, at the Shamrock Invitational in Notre Dame’s Joyce Center on Sunday.

Browne recorded the first double-digit kill match (12) of her career while hitting at a .400 pace. Okogbaa added 10 kills to go with seven blocks.

The Cardinal (2-1) opened its season at the Invitational with a five-set victory over LSU. Host Notre Dame beat Stanford on Saturday night before rebounding against the defending Sun Belt Conference West Division champion Pioneers.

Stanford’s schedule doesn’t get any easier this weekend when the Cardinal (2-1) visits Stockton for the Pacific Banker’s Classic this weekend. Stanford opens with 8th-ranked Florida on Friday at 5 p.m.

Junior Cassidy Lichtman did a little bit of everything for Stanford, slamming nine kills, hitting .500, distributing 20 assists, recording 12 digs, earning three blocks and even serving up an ace. Junior libero Gabi Ailes had 16 digs.

Lichtman and Ailes were named to the all-tournament team. LSU’s Michele Williams was named MVP after the Tigers’ upset Notre Dame on Sunday.

Freshman setter Karissa Cook was also given the morning off as Lichtman shared setting duties with senior Joanna Evans, who added 22 assists.

Menlo School grad Alex Fisher, redshirt freshman Jessica Walker and freshman Hayley Spelman were also in the starting lineup for the Cardinal, which beat the Gators in last year’s third round of the NCAA tournament. Stanford has won three of their previous five meetings.

Spelman had a team-high hitting percentage of .571 on eight kills in 14 total attacks and no errors. She also recorded three blocks. Fellow freshman Hannah Benjamin had nine digs and a service ace.

“I think we came out ready to play,” Denver coach Beth Kuwata said. “How can you not be against a team that has been in the national championship the past three years. We talked earlier about having the opportunity of doing something like this only once during your career.”

Stanford hit .330 as a team.