UCLA Women Adjust Serves, Put Away Stanford in Volleyball

The fifth-ranked UCLA women’s volleyball team, still smarting from back-to-back losses, redeemed itself with a 15-4, 10-15, 15-6, 15-11 victory over Stanford in front of 750 in the Wooden Center Friday night.

The Cardinal, ranked fourth, struggled with the Bruins’ proficient serving, while making nearly twice as many service errors as UCLA.

Both teams have a 4-2 record.

The Bruins were paced by the poised play of Samantha Shaver, a freshman. Shaver, an outside hitter, served out games three and four and consistently came up with the kill the Bruins needed.

“We worked on my hitting in practice,” she said. “I really focused on watching the blocker.”

UCLA breezed in the first game, with Shaver winning six consecutive points on her serve. All the Bruins served well, especially Daiva Tomkus, who led all players with five service aces.

It was a redemption of sorts, as UCLA had served poorly as a team in their previous two matches against Hawaii.

“I saw some good serving out there,” UCLA Coach Andy Banachowski said. “Tomkus served well; she had some service errors in Hawaii. Shaver hit well after having some problems in Hawaii.”

The lead went back and forth several times in Game 2. It was tied at 5-5, 9-9 and 10-10 before the Cardinal put the game away.

The third game was dominated by excellent blocking from Tomkus and Stacy Buck. Team captain Lori Zeno had a game-high five block-assists.

UCLA got out to a 9-1 lead in the fourth game but appeared to crumble.

“I saw that lead fritter away,” Banchowski said. “But we all pulled together. That’s what this team is going to do.”

Credit Zeno as the adhesive.

“Last year we’d get the lead,” Zeno said. “But the other team would catch up and we didn’t have the courage or discipline to come back. This year, we do.”

Tomkus and Wendy Fletcher led all players with 15 kills each, Shaver had 13 and All-American Teresa Smith led the Cardinal with 12. Shaver had 16 digs.