December 18, 1997

Stanford to Face Penn State in NCAA Championship

SPOKANE, Wash. - The Stanford Cardinal defeated the Long Beach State 49ers in a thrilling four-set match 9-15, 15-10, 15-4, 17-15 to advance to the NCAA Volleyball Championship against Penn State.

The Cardinal almost let a miraculous 49er comeback send the match into a decisive fifth set. The Cardinal saw their 12-3 lead dissolve as the 49ers reeled off 10 of the next 11 points to tie the game 13-13. Stanford took a 14-13 lead but a net violation gave Long Beach State the tying point. After trading kills, Stanford's Kristin Folkl landed a block, and Kerri Walsh and Jennifer Detmer combined on a block to end the match.

Long Beach State had the momentum after winning game one. However, Stanford retaliated by winning games two and three.

Walsh led all players with 22 kills, and contributed 12 digs. Folkl followed with 15 kills and Paula McNamee added 13 kills.

Stanford setter Lisa Sharpley tallied 55 assists and had a match-high 20 digs.

Misty May, a first-team All-American, had 48 assists and a team-high 19 digs.

Benishe Dillard and Veronica Wells led the 49ers with 14 kills apiece. Nique Crump added 13 kills.

Both teams were statistically even. But Stanford out-blocked Long Beach State 11 to six, and recorded a better hitting percentage of .209 to .155.

Stanford plays Penn State on Saturday at noon to decide the national champion. The two teams have played twice this year, with Penn State winning both matches.

Stanford University Women's Volleyball