STANFORD, Calif. – No. 9 Stanford opened the season with a 25-16, 25-16, 21-25, 25-22 win over Saint Francis, Friday, in Maples Pavilion.
As a team, Stanford (1-0) hit .347 and recorded 10 aces. Saint Francis (0-1) hit .260 and finished with 6.5 blocks. The Cardinal out dug the Red Flash, 34-27.
Outside hitter Will Rottman, who was an AVCA First Team All-American in 2022, led the Cardinal with a match-high 15 kills on .462 hitting, four digs and two assists. The senior also matched his career-high with four aces.
Rottman picking up where he left off last season ??#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/9ot9lz8pT5
— Stanford Men's Volleyball (@StanfordMVB) January 7, 2023
John Kosty, The Birkhofer Family Head Men's Volleyball Coach, has led Stanford to a win in the season opener for the 14th time in 17 seasons.
Setter Nathan Lietzke controlled the Cardinal offense with 36 assists and had a match-high 10 digs for his sixth career double-double. The senior also tied his career-high with three aces.
Freshman opposite Theo Snoey had a successful collegiate debut, registering 13 kills on a .458 attack percentage to go with six digs, three blocks and two assists.
Libero Justin Lui collected eight digs, including one that sailed over the net and fell in bounds for a kill in the first set.
Things you love to see ??#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/n6QEhx6P0a
— Stanford Men's Volleyball (@StanfordMVB) January 7, 2023
Outside hitter Kevin Lamp turned in eight kills, four digs, an ace and a block for the Cardinal. Senior middle blocker Nathaniel Gates hit .417 with six kills and two blocks, while redshirt junior middle blocker Ethan Hill added three kills, two blocks and an ace.
Saint Francis was led by Brady Stump and Nathan Zini, who had 10 kills apiece.
The Cardinal and Red Flash meet again on Saturday at 5 p.m. in Maples Pavilion.