Improved Performance Not Enough

PROVO, Utah – Despite playing with a renewed energy, Stanford dropped a 25-19, 25-22, 25-15 decision at No. 2 BYU, Saturday, at Smith Fieldhouse.

BYU (10-2) hit .310 as a team while holding Stanford (0-7) to a .141 clip. The Cougars doubled-up on the Cardinal in blocks, 16.0 to 8.0, and held a 4-2 advantage in aces. Both teams registered 25 digs.

Sophomore Will Rottman led Stanford with 10 kills, five digs and two blocks, including one solo. Senior middle blocker Kyler Presho hit .500 with six kills on 10 swings with just one error and a team-high five blocks.

Sophomore setter Nathan Lietzke controlled the offense with 27 assists and had a career-high six kills on seven errorless attempts (.857). Redshirt sophomore libero Justin Lui collected seven digs and three assists.

Freshman Luke Turner earned the start at outside hitter, posting six kills and a team-high eight digs. Sophomore middle Nathaniel Gates added five kills and two blocks.

Freshman Kupono Browne started the match at opposite, but was held to just one kill and an ace. Sophomore Kevin Lamp replaced Browne in the third, finishing with two kills, an ace and a dig.

BYU was once again led by Gabi Garcia Fernandez, who hit .474 with 11 kills to go with five blocks and three digs.

Stanford returns to The Farm to play host to Grand Canyon on Friday and Saturday at Maples Pavilion.