LONG BEACH, Calif. – Led by Kathryn Plummer's double-double, No. 2 Stanford opened the season with a sweep over a gritty Long Beach State team, Friday, at Walter Pyramid.
Plummer finished with a match-high 12 kills and 10 digs. The sophomore standout found herself right where she started her freshman season – playing on the right.
Redshirt senior Merete Lutz was injured in practice earlier in the week and forced first-year head coach Kevin Hambly to make some lineup adjustments. Regardless of where she was playing, Plummer was able to attack from all areas of the court, keeping the Long Beach State defenders off balance.
Sophomore libero Morgan Hentz steadied the defense with a match-best 18 digs, while sophomore setter Jenna Gray dished out 30 assists and the match-winning kill.
Sophomore middle blocker Audriana Fitzmorris also made her presence known against the 49ers, racking up seven blocks, including four solo, to go with seven kills on .357 hitting.
Making their Cardinal debuts were freshmen Meghan McClure, who earned the start at outside hitter, and defensive specialist Kate Formico. McClure recorded six kills, three blocks, three digs and an ace, while Formico collected eight digs, two assists and an ace.
Junior Tami Alade earned the start at middle blocker and turned in five kills on .333 hitting and four blocks. Redshirt freshman Michaela Keefe, who missed most of last season due to injury, returned to action with four kills, two blocks and two digs for Stanford. Twin sister, Caitlin Keefe, entered the match in the third set as a serving specialist.
As a team, Stanford hit .229 while holding LBSU to a -.010 clip. The Cardinal, which led the nation last season in blocks, finished with 12.0.
Long Beach State was led by Megan Kruidhof's seven kills, while Emma Kirst posted six. Libero Hailey Harward totaled 14 digs.
Stanford closes out the opening weekend on Saturday with a double-header. The Cardinal will face Iowa at 10 a.m. and Wright State at 4 p.m. in the LBSU Invitational.
