Jan. 14, 2009

Box Score

Stockton, Calif.- Despite a strong defensive effort, the Pacific men's volleyball team fell to No. 4 Stanford 3-0 on Wednesday, Jan. 14.

After the loss the Tigers fell to 1-4 overall, 0-1 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF). The Cardinal improved to 3-1 overall, and 1-0 in MPSF.

The set scores for the match were: 30-27, 30-26 and 30-25.

Stanford scored the first two points in the first set, but junior Kevin Pratte (Hemet, Calif.) earned a sideout for Pacific on one of his 11 total kills, bringing the score to 2-1. At 6-3, in the favor of the Cardinal, Pratte racked another kill, followed by one from junior Jason Borchin (Roseville, Calif.), and then a block assist by junior Mark Bauhs (Danville, Calif.) and freshman Sean Daley (Moorpark, Calif.) to tie the score at 6-6. Later in the set, with Pacific down 18-14, they scored three consecutive points on a kill by Daley, a block by senior Joe Forbes (Westport, Conn.), and a block assist from Borchin and Forbes, making the score 18-17. The Tigers scored surged forward again late in the set with three straight points to make the score 27-25. This time the Tigers' run was capped by a block from Daley and Pratte. Unfortunately it wasn't enough as the Tigers fell short to lose the set 30-27.

The second started off with a kill by Borchin, with an assist by Bauhs. That point appeared to be a good omen for Pacific as the Tigers held the lead for most of this set. Pacific increased their lead to 7-3, after a service error from Stanford, a kill from Pratte and a block assist from Pratte and Daley. Later in the set, with the Tigers leading 18-15, Borchin got back-to-back kills bringing five consecutive points to tie the game up at 24-24. The score would be tied again at 25-25 and at 26-26, but after that, Stanford gained the edge they needed to win the set, by scoring four consecutive points, 30-26.

The opening 16 points of the third game featured six ties and two lead changes. Tied at 8-8, the Cardinal began to slowly pull away from the Tigers. Down 14-13, Pacific surrendered consecutive points on a triple block and a kill from Spencer McLaughlin to fall behind 16-13. Later in the set, with the score at 19-17, Stanford jumped their lead to 22-17, on three straight points. Pacific were never able to put together a rally and fell, 30-25. Stanford's hitting percentage in the third set was .409 (20 kills and two errors on 44 attempts), compared to Pacific's .227 (17 kills and seven errors on 44 attempts).

Junior Clay Ostrander (Wheaton, Ill.) and Pratte both had 11 kills for the Tigers, while Pratte completed his first double-double with 10 digs. Borchin had seven kills and 15 digs.

Evan Romero led Stanford with 16 kills and also had 10 digs.

Pacific's next match is Friday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. against UC Santa Cruz at the Alex G. Spanos Center.