UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Redshirt sophomore middle blocker Merete Lutz made her presence known with a career high 19 kills as No. 2 Stanford came back to defeat No. 6 Illinois, 16-25, 27-25, 25-18, 25-21, Friday at Rec Hall in University Park, Pennsylvania. The Cardinal improved to 3-0 as it handed the Fighting Illini (3-1) its first loss of the season.

Lutz, who missed the opening weekend due to a finger injury, was 19-2-32 (.531) and registered five blocks. Freshman opposite Hayley Hodson notched the second double-double of her career with a season-best 13 kills and 11 digs to go with five blocks. Seniors Jordan Burgess and Brittany Howard finished with 12 and eight kills, respectively.

Stanford out hit Illinois .269 to .226 in the match. Both teams finished with 10.0 blocks.

The Illini came out fired up, hitting .448 in the opening set and took advantage of 10 Cardinal errors. After a back-and-forth second set, which had nine tie scores and two lead changes, Stanford gained control in the third. Down 16-13, the Cardinal reeled off nine straight points to win the pivotal set. Illinois made a final push in the fourth, but it wasn't enough as Lutz registered two kills and a block to finish off the Illini.

Senior setter Madi Bugg racked up a season high 49 assists and 14 digs for her first double-double of the year. Freshman libero Halland McKenna turned in a career high 11 digs and an ace for the Cardinal. Redshirt sophomore Ivana Vanjak, playing just her third match as a middle blocker, hit .500 (4-0-8) and notched four blocks.

Illinois was led by outside hitter Jocelynn Birks' 16 kills and 16 digs. Freshman setter Jordyn Poulter collected 52 assists and eight digs. Michelle Strizak and Katie Stadick recorded 15 and 13 kills, respectively.

Stanford's showdown with No. 1 Penn State is set for Saturday, Sept. 5. First serve is scheduled for 5 p.m. PT and will be televised on the Big Ten Network.