Oregon State No Match for No. 2 Stanford

Oregon State falls to 8-9, 1-4 Pac-10, while Stanford stays unbeaten with a record of 15-0, 4-0 Pac-10.

OSU sophomore Rachel Rourke posted 20 kills to lead the team against No. 2 Stanford. Photo courtesy: OSU Athletics

CORVALLIS, Ore. - Sophomore Rachel Rourke posted 20 kills in the Beavers’ 3-0 loss (21-30, 20-30, 25-30) to the No. 2 Stanford Cardinal Thursday evening.

Oregon State falls to 8-9, 1-4 Pac-10, while Stanford stays unbeaten with a record of 15-0, 4-0 Pac-10.

Adding to Rourke’s numbers, freshman Jill Sawatzky had 10 kills and added six digs and three block assists. And junior libero Ashley Evans chalked up 17 digs to lead the team.

The Beavers put together short runs in game one, holding the Cardinal at game point for four straight rallies behind the serving of junior Natalie Hooper, who tallied the first service ace of the match.

Sophomore Camilla Ah-Hoy also helped Oregon State to a short stretch, serving three and adding a pair of digs. Ah-Hoy had 18 assists and nine digs on the match.

Oregon State took an early lead in game two starting with a block solo by sophomore Bree Knitter before the two teams tied things up five times with Stanford taking the lead at 7-8.

The Beavers stayed close behind throughout the rest of the game before the Cardinal took the decisive lead behind the serving of Gabi Ailes and Cynthia Barboza.

Coming out of the break, Sawatzky helped put the Beavers on top, tallying her seventh kill of the match.

But Stanford quickly tied things up before taking the lead, building it to as many as seven before Oregon State battled back to within three led by Rourke’s nine kills.

Stanford’s Barboza and Foluke Akinradewo paced the Cardinal on offense with 17 and 15 kills. Libero Ailes had 14 digs, while Barboza added 13.

The Beavers complete their home stand Friday evening when the team hosts No. 10 Cal at 7:00 p.m.

Source: OSU Athletics

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