No. 3 Stanford Women’s Volleyball Faces Tough Road Test in ACC Opener
Stanford University’s women’s volleyball team is gearing up for their inaugural ACC campaign with a challenging road trip this week. The Cardinal, currently ranked third in the nation with an impressive 8-1 record, will be facing off against tough opponents Notre Dame and Louisville.
On Friday, Stanford will travel to South Bend, Indiana to take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who boast a 7-2 record. The match is set to kick off at 3:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast on ACCNX. The Cardinal have historically dominated this matchup, holding a 7-1 record against the Fighting Irish. However, Notre Dame managed to secure a sweep at home back in 2009, so Stanford will be looking to maintain their winning streak in this series.
Following their matchup with Notre Dame, Stanford will make their way to Louisville, Kentucky to face the fifth-ranked Louisville Cardinals on Sunday at Noon PT, with the game airing on ESPN. The Cardinal have a more even record against Louisville, with one win and one loss in their two previous meetings. Last season, Stanford pulled off an impressive reverse sweep against the Cardinals, and they will be looking to replicate that success on Sunday.
In their most recent nonconference matchup, Stanford closed out their slate with a four-set victory over No. 11 Kentucky. Outside hitter Elia Rubin led the charge with 21 kills, while setter Kami Miner recorded her seventh double-double of the season with 40 assists and 11 digs. Libero Elena Oglivie also made an impact with 23 digs in the match.
The Cardinal have had a stacked schedule this season, facing off against numerous top-ranked opponents. In their nonconference matchups alone, they took on teams like No. 1 Texas, No. 2 Nebraska, and No. 3 Wisconsin, coming out with wins against several top-10 teams. Their upcoming ACC schedule also includes matchups against teams like No. 4 Pittsburgh, No. 6 Louisville, and No. 14 Georgia Tech.
Despite the tough competition, Stanford has been predicted to perform well in their inaugural ACC season. Coaches in the league have picked the Cardinal to finish second, with four Stanford players – Sami Francis, Kami Miner, Elena Oglivie, and Elia Rubin – earning spots on the Preseason All-ACC squad. Miner, in particular, has been on fire this season, recently reaching a milestone of 4,000 career assists and earning ACC Setter of the Week honors.
Stanford’s success extends beyond the court, with alumna Kathryn Plummer recently winning a silver medal with the United States at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Plummer, who won three national titles with Stanford, is just one of many former Cardinal players to find success on the international stage. The university’s strong volleyball program has produced a total of 59 Olympic athletes, who have collectively captured an impressive 39 medals.
Under the guidance of head coach Kevin Hambly, Stanford’s women’s volleyball team has solidified their reputation as one of the best programs in the nation. Hambly, who has led the team to back-to-back NCAA titles, boasts an impressive record of 179-38 and has mentored numerous AVCA All-Americans and Academic All-Americans.
As the Cardinal gear up for their ACC opener, they will be looking to continue their winning ways and make a strong statement in their new conference. With a talented roster, experienced coaching staff, and a history of success, Stanford’s women’s volleyball team is poised for another successful season as they take on the challenges that lie ahead.