Women’s Volleyball : UCLA Tops Stanford in 4 Games, Keeps No. 1 Ranking

Led by freshmen Elaine Youngs and Laurie Jones, the UCLA women’s volleyball team won the Pacific 10 Conference championship and retained its ranking as the No. 1 team in the country by defeating No. 2 Stanford, 15-17, 15-12, 15-6, 15-7, Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion.

The Bruins, who have won 27 straight matches this season, are the only undefeated team in the country. They are 17-0 in the Pacific 10 and will play their final conference match tonight against California at Pauley.

With the victory, the Bruins also clinched an automatic berth in the National Collegiate Athletic Assn. playoffs and will be a host in the first round Dec. 2.

“The first 2 games of this match were the best volleyball games that any spectator could ever see,” UCLA Coach Andy Banachowski said. “I think what helped the Bruins defeat Stanford was our blocking attack and the fine defensive play by our freshmen.”

Led by Youngs and Jones, the Bruins rallied after losing the first game. Jones came off the bench in the second game to help the Bruins with 15 digs, 7 kills and 2 blocks. Youngs had 20 kills, 10 blocks and 19 digs.

Stanford (25-2, 15-2), led by outside hitter Kristin Klein, who had 19 kills, 10 digs and 2 service aces, came from behind in the first game to tie the Bruins, 14-14, and eventually win, 17-15.