Oct. 29, 2012

STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford middle blocker Inky Ajanaku has been selected the Pac-12 women's volleyball Freshman of the Week for Oct. 22-28, Commissioner Larry Scott announced today. The Cardinal has also taken over the top spot in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) poll, collecting 50 first-place votes.

Ajanaku, a native of Tulsa, Okla., led the Cardinal (20-2) to wins over Arizona and Arizona State last week, helping Stanford remain undefeated in the Pac-12 (12-0). She led the team in kills (3.14), points (3.71) and blocks (1.14) per set over the two matches. She also posted a .541 hitting percentage.

In the sweep over the Wildcats, she was the only Cardinal player to reach double-digit kills, finishing with 11 on 19 attempts with just one error to hit .526. She also collected four blocks against Arizona. Against ASU, Ajanaku again put down 11 kills and finished with a .556 hitting percentage and four blocks. The rookie leads the Pac-12 with a .393 hitting percentage. With the wins, Stanford is off to its best start in conference play since 1998.

Ajanaku has now freshman honors twice this season, also picking up the recognition on Oct. 15. It is the fourth time this season a Cardinal rookie has earned the award.

Stanford has now won 18 straight matches, marking its longest winning streak since 2001. The Cardinal's No. 1 ranking in the coaches' poll is the first of the 2012 season and the 52nd time in school history. The last time Stanford held the top spot in the poll was during the 2010 season. The Cardinal was ranked No. 1 from Sept. 13 through Oct. 10.

The Cardinal travels to Oregon State and Oregon this weekend to continue Pac-12 play. Stanford faces the Beavers in Corvallis on Friday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. The match on Sunday, Nov. 4 at 1 p.m. against the Ducks in Eugene, will pit No. 1 Stanford versus No. 2 Oregon on the Pac-12 Networks.