AUSTIN, Texas – Despite four players registering double-digit kills, No. 2 seed Stanford fell 17-25, 25-21, 25-23, 25-22 to No. 3 seed Wisconsin, Friday, in the NCAA regional semifinal at Gregory Gymnasium.
In an offensive slugfest, Stanford (29-5) hit .378, while Wisconsin (27-4) turned in a .420 clip in the Badgers’ first win over the Cardinal in the series history (6-1).
Senior Elia Rubin led the team in her final match in a Cardinal uniform with 15 kills, 13 digs, an ace and a solo block. Rubin finishes the season with a team-best 13 double-doubles, and her career with 45. The Santa Monica native is also the Cardinal career record holder for aces in the rally-scoring era to 25 with 151.
Freshman Logan Parks returned to the Cardinal lineup against the Badgers after being unavailable during the first two rounds, controlling the offense with 51 assists. The setter also notched six digs, two aces, a kill and a block. Freshman libero Spencer Etzler finished with nine digs and two assists.
Sophomore Lizzy Andrew had a familiar face cross the net as her older sister, Alicia Andrew, is a middle blocker for Wisconsin. Lizzy Andrew hit .692 with 10 kills and a block. Alicia Andrew had seven kills on nine errorless swings to hit .778.
Redshirt sophomore Julia Blyashov totaled 14 kills on .351 hitting, seven digs and two blocks. Opposite Jordyn Harvey added 10 kills on .391 hitting, two aces, three digs and three blocks. Freshman middle blocker Erika Sayer hit .714 with five kills and four blocks.
Stanford fell in the regional semifinal round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2009. The Cardinal was making its 22nd NCAA regional semifinal appearance since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1998.
