Card Splits Opening Day

LONG BEACH, Calif. – The No. 19 Stanford beach volleyball program began its season on Friday, splitting a doubleheader at No. 16 Long Beach State. The Cardinal lost the first match in a tight dual, 3-2, while winning the second match 4-1.
 
Charlie Ekstrom and Sunny Villapando went 2-0 on the day, winning both matches at the No. 1 spot in two sets. Maddi Kriz and Maya Harvey were also 2-0 at No. 3, winning both matches in three sets. Kriz and Harvey clinched the second match of the day for Stanford with their 15-8 win in the third set.
 
The Cardinal returns to action on Saturday with a doubleheader at No. 2 UCLA. The first match begins at 10 a.m.
 
No. 16 Long Beach State 3, No. 19 Stanford 2
#1: Charlie Ekstrom/Sunny Villapando (STAN) def. Tyler Spriggs/Mari Molina (LBSU) 21-19, 21-18
#2: Nicci Reinking/Makenzie Griffin (LBSU) def. Xolani Hodel/Kate Reilly (STAN) 21-15, 21-11
#3: Maddi Kriz/Maya Harvey (STAN) def. Kenzie Holtz/Katie Kennedy (LBSU), 15-21, 21-16, 18-16
#4: Skyler Germann/Alice Pratesi (LBSU) def. Amelia Smith/Maddie Dailey (STAN) 18-21, 21-17, 15-8
#5: Jillian Rodriguez/Emily Mattoon (LBSU) def. Jordan McKinney/Ellie Gamberdella (STAN) 21-12, 21-14
Ext: Abby Converse/Emmy Sharp (STAN) def. Claire Newlander/Sophie Major (LBSU) 21-17, 21-12
 
Order of finish: 2, 4, 5, 1, 3
 
No. 19 Stanford 4, No. 16 Long Beach State 1
#1: Charlie Ekstrom/Sunny Villapando (STAN) def. Tyler Spriggs/Mari Molina (LBSU) 22-20, 21-19
#2: Kate Reilly/Xolani Hodel (STAN) def. Nicci Reinking/Makenzie Griffin (LBSU) 21-14, 21-12
#3: Maddi Kriz/Maya Harvey (STAN) def. Kenzie Holtz/Katie Kennedy (LBSU) 21-14, 14-21, 15-8
#4: Skyler Germann/Alice Pratesi (LBSU) def. Amelia Smith/Maddie Dailey (STAN) 21-15, 21-19
#5: Emmy Sharp/Jordan McKinney (STAN) def. Jillian Rodriguez/Emily Mattoon (LBSU) 21-16, 22-20
Ext: Abby Converse/Ellie Gamberdella (STAN) tied Madison Smeathers/Hanna Farnsworth (LBSU) 21-18, 19-21
 
Order of finish: 4, 2, 5, 3, 1