Stanford vs. Arizona State: 2023 NCAA volleyball regional semifinals | FULL REPLAY

this Regional semi-final day began at noon eastern time on Thursday and now at 12:50 a.m. eastern time on Friday the final match is finally underway great diving play by Katie bear to keep Stanford in the first point and there is linsa with Alena ogleby there on the receive and that one drops in and it's a point for Stamford in front of a loud enthusiastic crowd that waited patiently for our first match to take 3 hours and 10 minutes before Texas pulled it out a marathon of a match and every point of it was absolutely incredible here's Katy be oy with the Dig set back by [Applause] Kip Miner with the set off hands diving play to keep it alive long rally on the second Point some contact in the net and a point for Arizona State and Arizona State likes to get Stanford into long rallies and put some pressure on them take away first swing kill opportunities that Stanford is somewhat accustomed to because of their big physical offense there's jelly Seer playing really well the last six matches hitting over 300 in each of those six matches Miner the block goes out of Play The Kill for ellia Rubin and I know you talked about the players we know about like Katie beard and Kendall kip but ellia ruin is playing at an elite level for Stanford right now she may be their best player at the moment I absolutely agree I think she is the exactor in the NCAA tournament she is leading them with four kills per set more than any other player for Stanford right now [Applause] shoved over the net by habell battle at the net sent back abello gets the point for Arizona State Arizona state will utilize speed of offense and particularly that's going to be important to habell when she's going up against kall Kip she's going to have to find just a a a glimpse of of light in that BL block between between those blockers for her to get one [Applause] through sh over left side Reuben drops in another one ellia said yesterday that last year in the NCAA tournament she was just trying to make it through game by game this year playing with confidence and the sophomore is playing great only a freshman last year and asked to do a whole lot in six or so you can understand why she would feel that way arizota State anwers back to tie it again at three mlin out of the middle and that's not a player that they're going to utilize a whole lot offensively to be honest with you but I like the choice of going there early on try to establish the middle try to hold that block as much as [Applause] possible Miner sets it back and that one is going to be off the mark on the swing by Sammy Francis and Arizona state has its first lead when you talk about how you think this match is going to play out and we talked about the two sweeps for the two teams it was who controlled the service game and who passed better and these are two great serving teams and excellent passing teams who will have the edge today will determine in the eyes of both coaches everyone's out of play in Arizona State's up by two well that point right there is a great example of what you're talking about Eric because it was the Ser from shanon Shields their Setter that put Arizona state in the driver's seat there she created an overpass and they were ahead in that point from the very beginning that's what they're going to try to do it's not just about Aces but putting pressure on your opponent if you can pull that Setter off the net and take away at least one hitter all of a sudden it becomes a lot more defendable cello rolls it over Miner goes back on the Block it's Arizona State getting it done defensively and they are fired up here in set [Applause] one Arizona State taking the court with a whole lot of confidence and why would they not as we said Sanford's last loss and only loss in conference play came at the hand of Arizona State four nothing run right now for Arizona State back row attack and the kill for Kendall Kip there's her first kill of the match such an important weapon for Stanford in their two hitter rotations to give them that third option and right now Arizona state only one block looks like they're trying to commit to Kindle Kip and even that block is late getting up Camy Miner does a good job there oh good save by linsa before heading over the chairs at the bench that one is Off the Mark attack air on be and a point for Arizona State got there that is Arizona State's brand of volleyball all out they know that they had to play with a lot of emotion a lot of intensity they say they want to be flying around [Applause] defensively that's another attack error for Stanford they are cold on the attack so far with the exception of Ruben Francis and bear both hitting negative so far Eric you alluded to our marathon match between Tennessee and Texas prior to this and I was interested to see how these teams would take the floor with what sort of energy after having to wait for so long that I like the energy see from [Applause] both make it two kills for Kindle Kip now coming out of the back row that makes it 85 and a pringle will come on to serve for Stanford [Applause] off hands and a point for Arizona State that's jelly seir who had nine kills and eight digs in the win against BYU and you talked about the impressive win for Arizona State over Stanford maybe the most impressive win of the season was the last game for Arizona State where they swept BYU at Smith fieldhouse in Provo just four lead changes in the match they were one of three teams to pull an upset in the second round but the only one to do it in sweep fashion they just dominated round one and two on the [Applause] road dug out by [Applause] stroll set back here comes Kip with another attack and that one is in and now JJ van Neil thinking about grabbing the challenge card looking down to his assistants I can just read a couple of them saying I don't know right doesn't want to use it quite this early unless he's certain and the assistant coach is sitting there right along the in line and convince him to hold it made a quick move over to the card and was talked out of it just as quickly it looked like s is blocked there's linsa off the block Stanford hanging in there defensively [Applause] Le off the hands and a point for Kendall Kip on the kill and that's where Arizona State feels like they can really challenge Stanford is they get him into the long rally Stanford shows their defensive prowess there stays with it and comes up with the big kill to finish it off Cammy Miner two-time Pack 12 Setter of the year with a service erir first of the match for either side and Arizona State back in front fight three here's linsa and she's on from the service line she is on she was certainly on against BYU good hustle plays olivy got there but couldn't keep it in play in Arizona State up by four here in set one and linsa did her job here with a really nice pressure serve she creates a one option situation but unfortunately for Arizona State in this particular rotation the one option is kle Kip that's still a pretty good option so it still takes an elite defensive play to stop him litka five Aces so far in the NCAA tournament that rolls down the tape Shields looks for the dump and couldn't clear the net so it's a point for Stanford Stanford went five in their last match against Houston those two sets To None lead for Stanford then Houston playing with their backs to the wall took set three that carried over into set four but then Stanford hit 353 in the fifth facing elimination in this building linsa with a rip from the back row that is so Dynamic it's just long though oh it is Off the Mark well she was pumped up she thought she had it no challenge coming so the Stanford Cardinal get the point Katy be served that one right at troll who passed a perfect ball we'll see if she goes away from her this time and Arizona State out of syn on the set to sear and Stanford despite six attack errors in this first set is within one that ball well off the net from Shannon Shields there just didn't look like the location was right for jelly sear they continue to serve down the line here though probably hoping to disrupt the flow of the attack coming out of the back court from linsa serve it towards the line here comes a better attack here for Arizona State Miner sets it back for Kip on the kill tied at 11 this is a beautiful push from Cammy Miner look at her pulled into left left front and the strength of her hands to get it all the way out to Kindle Kip and to have it right there in that spot where she has every every angle to take a swing at that ball four nothing run for Stanford to tie at 11 CLA Jeter there for Arizona State on the Block the middle from Missouri City Texas Cheer honorable mention all Pack 12 selection eighth in the Pack 12 in blocks per set this season and five blocks in round two against [Applause] BYU that gives her 13 total blocks now in the tournament Kip kept it alive but they ran out of room couldn't get their in time in Arizona State back-to-back points after the Stanford run and how about another block for Jeter to go along with the 13 she you just mentioned that she already had in the tournament three blocks for Arizona State none for Stanford so [Applause] [Music] far Reuben Long Point [Applause] sundevils both of these teams pretty fired up we've seen a couple long swings from both sides they've been waiting a while they've got some adrenaline [Applause] flowing and an ace Arizona States the first team to 15 they're on a 4 nothing run here in set one when we break out the black and white photos you know it's been a while and that's the case for Arizona State in making an appear here this deep into the NCAA tournament it's their first trip to the regional semi-final since 1995 their first time ever with two wins in the tournament and they do it for a first year head coach JJ van Neil one of the top stories in college volleyball this season he wasn't hired until December 29th so he's been on the job less than a year as Stanford comes out with a kill out of the media timeout and Arizona State won 28 games last year they won 13 matches a season ago he was in the financial world for 12 years and we choked with him like well you went to the lucrative coaching world and he's like yeah well I'd like to thank my wife for understanding my craziness about that but he just wanted to be a volleyball coach and be around volleyball and I don't even think he could have predicted that they'd be at this point playing Stanford after two wins on the road in the NCAA tournament he was confident that his team would make it to the NCAA he's a very confident guy but to be at this point after how they played in Provo as well with two sweeps very very impressive it's a great story this is a team that only had nine players when he was there in the spring not enough players to even you know scrimmage with one another without help from some male practice players and you know he's so analytical coming from the finance world and yet he said he had to put that on hold and really focus on the people in front of him and build trust and relationships because he knew that would go so far and boy was he right Kip finds the opening and gets the [Music] kill we talked about her athleticism the height she plays above the net and there is a great example of that as she's able to go up and over with that tip and push it deep into the center of the Court that's already seven kills and we're Midway through the first set helloo that's one's going to go off the Mark Stanford did not touch it and the Cardinal on a 4 nothing run had a handful of runs so far here in this first set I think Arizona State's going to call a timeout yes they're going to call a timeout here with Stanford on a run by Arizona State Kevin hambley has his team deep in the NCAA tournament again 28 and3 on the season of course winning NCAA titles in 2018 and 2019 coming off what for Stanford is their 21st and final Pack 12 Championship five of those titles coming on handley's Watch and three players on this group were a part of that 2019 Championship Vini beard and Kendall Kip who played in one play in that 2019 match and they would like to start their career with a national championship and end it as well swept Wisconsin in Pittsburgh to win the national title in 2019 knocked off Nebraska in five previous year breaking down the number so far his team getting 069 in the first set Arizona at a flat zero hitting so far four errors for Arizona State nine for Stanford here in set [Music] [Applause] one linsa denied Stanford in [Applause] [Music] front this is a two-hitter rotation trying to use linsa out of the back court as that third option Stanford is consistently served into right back and tried to sort of jam up her attack line abello with the swing and that one drops in and that ends the 5 nothing Stanford run and passing is so important for Arizona State because for them to have success offensively they have to lead in lean into the speed of their attack and habell that time goes really fast down the line that gives her a good look against kimle pip Kip that's another one eight in the first set for Kendall Kip there is no defending this this is Kendall Kip's athleticism on full display up and over the top deep into the corner 16 kills in the five set win against Houston Arizona state gets the point back on the service eror even at 17 for as good as Stanford has looked at times nine errors from the attack couple service errors from Stanford to go along with [Applause] that Francis Off the Mark Point Arizona State back in front here in the first this is a Stanford team who returned seven starters from a season ago who had a very disappointing loss here on their home court in the regional final to San Diego and Sammy Francis who you see there on your screen had just returned to the lineup had been out for some health issues just back in the lineup when postseason began so even though they return everyone they feel like they're they're really running on all cylinders more so than they were a season ago now sering for the c number 13 uben OT Reuben back to serve for [Applause] [Music] Stanford even at 18 set one to the best of five linsa Miner good block by helloo with mlin at the net bared off hands back set linsa for the kill make it two now for linsa and it's taken a while to get those two if you would have told me linsa with two kills and Kendall Kip with eight already I would not think Arizona state would be leading by one linsa entered played today yesterday tonight I got to keep it all straight fourth in division one with 554 total [Music] kills on the back row attack and if you're Cammy Miner sometimes decision decision making just isn't that hard find Kendall Kip get her the [Applause] ball Nine Kills for Kendall Kip hitting 467 here in set one Pringle back on to serve and a service error that's number three for Stanford so three service errors 10 attack errors for the Cardinal here in set one yeah they've been aggressive sometimes to their detriment but playing with a whole lot of energy no back down right now from either of these [Applause] [Music] teams diving play by the libero stroll to get there bini pulled it off the net and trying to keep it alive with the foot was sear to no avail point for Stanford tie of [Applause] 20 two Camy [Applause] Miner Cammy Miner ready to serve for Stanford even at 20 one almost brushed the scoreboard sear off the Touch Point Arizona [Applause] [Music] State SE at 5' 10 is just such a solid six rotation player for this Arizona State team really a glue for them in what she does and her [Applause] consistency Miner tried to get it to Vini didn't work out and Arizona State's on top by two and Stanford's going to take a [Applause] timeout St 22 Arizona state has not been piling up the kills so far as a matter of fact they've been out killed so far 15 to7 by Stanford but those errors costly for the Cardinal here in set one just seven kills for Arizona State compared to 15 for Stanford and it's Arizona State on top by two yeah pretty errone here in set one as both of these teams are trying to settle in Stanford hitting for 103 and Arizona state only hitting for 059 leads by two one block for Stanford four for Arizona State so they're plus three in that category but have doubled up Stanford has doubled up Arizona State as said in terms of kills so very interesting numbers here in this first set as these teams finding their way two teams so much for um an unfamiliar foe in the tournament no surprises tonight these two teams very familiar with one another we've already seen one conference match up earlier today between Kentucky and Arkansas and it was Arkansas getting the best of Kentucky finally in that third meeting and we see a conference Champion go down we're very much in the same situation here tonight between two conference F Stanford the conference Champion however it was Arizona state with that most recent win between in the meeting between these two just a reminder Louisville Arkansas went five sets just you know if if you're trying to tell me like a conference matchup is going to go five and we just had a three-hour and 10-minute five set match right just to be clear I may have said 15 11 attack errors for Stanford so they pretty much have doubled up the errors and the call there was kle Kip under the net as she made a dive to play that second contact she went under the net just couldn't stop her momentum from sliding forward she's calling for a towel to come out here after she ducked under and she ran into Shields now if Kip made that play and there was no one in the area they may not have called it that's one call that they're letting go to let players play but if there's any sort of contact or anything close to contact what we've seen throughout this year pretty consistently is they'll get called that's why that was called there and it's simply to prevent injury but it's the result of a tough serve from linsa and here's another one and that goes long and it is set point for Arizona State so you'd say so far the team that's established the control at the service line is Arizona State feels that way and even though the rest of the numbers don't look so good they sit on set point another great sered by linsa has Stamford on their heels here on set point sear tried to pick the spot but couldn't not find it Stanford still alive here in set one nice job by stford of forcing linsa to play First Contact on that free ball because she was not an option offensively when she came in short to pick up that free ball this has been a difficult rotation for Arizona State to side [Applause] out troll controls it set to sear off hands Miner tight one for Reuben off the block and stamford's got another [Applause] Point Reuben just blasting off the hands of shields a front row Setter right now that's a really nice matchup for Elliot Ruben set point number three for Arizona [Applause] state linsa had to float it over Miner was digging for it and Francis correction Ruben a lot of contact we play on off hands diving play to keep it alive for the Sun Devils sear finds the spot Arizona State takes set one welcome back to the 87th meeting all time between Arizona State and Stanford Stanford with 78 wins in the series 78th win was the meeting here at Maples Pavilion on September 29th it was a blowout one-sided Stamford in control through out handed Arizona State their first loss of the season the sweep for the Cardinal but then in the rematch October it was a sweep for Arizona State their first sweep of Stanford since 1993 Stanford hit 194 in that match and it was all Arizona State first match blowout win for Stanford second match blowout win for Arizona States and not to take anything away from Arizona State but Stanford had dominated them in the first meeting and you feel like maybe they showed up and just didn't have their game face on I think this is really interesting the ace to error ratio for that second meeting on October 29th was plus one for Stanford or excuse me for Arizona State and it was minus 9 for Stanford that is a 10-point swing meaning Arizona State actually had more Aces than erors that doesn't happen very often Stanford had nine more errors than Aces so gave away nine points you're talking about a 10-point swing just from the service line and that's the kind of team that Arizona State tries to be dominate the game from the service line so in that first set Arizona state had two Aces no service errors they have a service error on the first point of set number two first set three service aors for Stanford no Aces for Stanford but the second set is a new set it's a completely new story for Stanford as they get the ace and already an error from Arizona State and already an Ace from Stanford to start to start set to it [Applause] Shields beard Miner the swing by Reuben Point Stanford three nothing start here in set two lot of Reuben I think is one of the big answers first Standford this is a team that is very pleasant very consistent very uh you're so kind easy to play along with and I think ellia Reuben gives them a nice little kick of five that they might need here on set two drop down Vini and kep teaming up 4 nothing run to start the set for Stanford you can see Ruben even right there she is very vocal Kevin Hamley said yesterday that she's not afraid she loves to fight loves to compete she's the one who's fired up and vocal and he told her I want more of that we need more of that yeah get up first point of the set for Jeter and the sundevils good choice there by sheld that she's floating off the net to force it a little into the middle that fast tempo attack out of the middle just creates more looks [Applause] there oh that was worked out well didn't it Shannon [Applause] Shields Reuben decides to reach back and play that one not sure if there's a Defender behind her and that's a decision they have to make as she leans over to talk to olvy there she doesn't want to play a ball but someone behinder has a cleaner look at o in the serve receive Miner tried to set it up quickly to Pini and Arizona state has answered the four nothing run with a three nothing run of their own Miner tries to come back to her middle Blocker we saw just moments ago Arizona state with a kill out of the middle the connection not there and you have to feel like on this one she's going to find kall kit Miner sends it back to Kip on the overpass Vini gets this one to go not a kill for Kip that time really just an off speeed roll shot over the block but at her height the angles that she hits at are just different than what you're used to defending and even on that shot she creates an overpass oi to seir Jeter out of the Middle With The Kill and it's just such a great choice here by Shields because going to the middles is a great way to get one-on-one looks against a great blocking team and as you see there Stanford is waiting and reading and then trying to adjust to that and just not time to catch up with [Applause] it K Shields [Applause] linsa Kip again off hands and a point for Stanford [Music] Cinder KS using that power to overcome a block that is well set in position and yet she just blasts [Applause] away and a service error for Stanford that is their [Music] fourth now serving for Arizona state number nine Shannon Shields Shannon Shields will head back to serve for the [Applause] sundevils miner Ruben couldn't get it over the net Arizona state was there defensively to tie it at six they force Elliot Ruben to make first Contact and sometimes what that can create a rhythm for an outside attacker sometimes they don't mind making first Contact and it looked like that was going be the case for ellot ribon but I think the placement of the set just put her in a position where she didn't have room to work around the block on this swing Ruben a little far off the net and now an attack from sear and a good response by Arizona state after falling behind 4 nothing to start this second set now with linsa in the front row you're not expecting a backrow attack that is a crafty little Choice there by Arizona State to use Shield or excuse me sear right down the middle Sammy Francis on the slide sent back linsa ogy got there Miner lays out Shields back to linsa G out by bear linsa again no getting this one linsa with the kill that's her third and linsa coming alive now she's going to be in positive numbers after that third kill interestingly the core of this team we talked about the fact that JJ vanil and his first year as coach but the core of this team is the same team as a season ago they had mclin make a move to the middle she played on the outside a season ago and they picked up shroll their Libo out of the transfer portal aside from that just a remake of a team that was really together a year ago Miner tries Ruben again that's blocked out of the play Ruben Swinging with purpose and with authority as she just turns that one hard off the block heads back to serve now for the Cardinal Stanford has won 10 in a row their last loss was to Arizona State another service s that's five not only do you have to side out at a high efficiency but at some point you have to point score off of your own serve if you're going to make a run and then' seen a couple Miss serves from Stanford preventing them from stringing together some [Applause] [Applause] points SE dug out by Reuben attack from Kip that's kill number 11 for Kendall Kip [Applause] great communication between Miner and Kip as they use her a couple different ways out of right back look at this time coming down in front of the setter almost down the middle of the Court running a bit away from that left side blocker good diversity in that back row attack I really like that look linsa blocked out of play point for Arizona States Arizona State [Music] Sun Devils took set one 2522 they're hitting 357 in this second set after winning that first hit despite only hitting 051 K from the back row this is one bounce into the bleach she hammers this right down the middle one block from Arizona State it looks like she's just swinging at an empty court on the over pass tie of 10 and that might be just what Katie bear needed to switch gears and sort of get things going after a rough first set that's only going to be her second kill so far on the [Applause] evening linsa blocked out of play Point Arizona State you can see the effort by Stanford there to turn the ball back in bounds as they're turning that one back toward the C the court and the power of Lin to go so hard off their hands that it sails beyond the court she has been so steady she has missed just two matches in her four years with the Arizona State that was due to illness Stanford gets it back the tied at 11 another Kill from Katie be and when Sanford becomes very dangerous when all of a sudden all three of their pins are killing balls bear now with three kills also has eight digs and an [Music] ace be got there just in time dug out by shroll but out of play and Stanford's back in front the pickup by olvy is just Elite for her to come in make a play on this ball and make a controlled play on this ball up in a position where her Setter look she keeps herself from going under the net controls the ball we mentioned that kle Kip repeated as Pack 12 Player of the Year while olivy repeated as Pack 12 Lio of the year [Applause] Miner sets it back for Kip great job by schroll to get [Applause] there Vin just had to send it over almost got a point out of [Applause] it Lin with the Dig Kip piling up the kills that's 13 for Kip we are getting spoiled here defense all around it has been an evening of great volleyball and we still got more to go Arizona up 10 they were in their seats hours ago but the problem was that Texas and Tennessee took 3 hours and 11 minutes to play their five set match out of the timeouts it's a point for Stanford back up on top by three here in the second set Vini is a player who just does not often get the credit she deserves she hits for such a high efficiency leads the team in blocks closes side to side on and off the net just not the name that you maybe hear the most but what a big contributor eight kills hit 500 in that win over Houston tough one there for seir to handle but she got it off the Stanford blocking for the number JY SE so jelly seir will head back to [Applause] serve there's the stamp block for the point to go back on top by three that's their fourth block great close here by Vini who we mentioned just moments ago leans into that seam and Kindle Kip reaches in to take it away the speed of the Arizona State offense can either work to their advantage or at times like that to their disadvantage because if the ball is fast but it's tight that Big T Stanford block is going to be hard to deal with linsa gets the point for Iona [Applause] State she's now up to a team High six kills two of the most elite right side attackers in the nation kle Kip right-handed linsa you get a little different look from her as she comes through with that left [Applause] [Music] hand linsa with 17 kills in each of the two sweeps for Arizona state in the first two rounds Reuben with the big swing in the point for the Cardinal good choice here by Camy Miner it's a three hitter rotation she has options and the blockers have to wait and see where she's going to go she shoots one quick to the outside and Elia Ruben who is pretty used to looking at two blockers is very thankful to have that look into the angle off the block swing by h Cabello fast hard and off blocker's hands that is her specialty Shan Shi that's her third kill Shields set to serve Miner for Sammy Francis now to Reuben oy kept it alive the point continues and now the point ends linsa off the block for the point Shields does a great job I mean we felt like with a free ball there's a good chance this is going to go to linsa but I like the fact that she puts a little air under it goes ahead and elevates it she goes fast to her left sides but gives linsa a little more air under the ball Lin gets an easy one there to tie it at 16 Shields creating pressure from the service line and this is where Arizona State can score points in a hurry when they can get hot from the service [Applause] [Music] [Applause] line Kip from the back row great dig by Shields and off the block the point for Stanford Sammy Francis go Stanford's way but credit Arizona State for making them work they are forcing Stanford into longer rallies with huge digs like this one from Shields just steps in and takes that ball from kall [Applause] [Music] [Applause] kit lit's got another one seven kills this set for Martin linsk after just two I believe in set one correct yes seven now and it's crazy to think that Arizona State one set one without the offense from linsa now they're getting it and they need it because Stanford jumped out to a four nothing lead and now they're back in front 1817 here in set two Keddy bar just looking at the defense huge hole in the middle doesn't always have to be the hard hit ball just the ball that lands on the [Applause] floor here's Pringle [Applause] toer sier punches it deep Miner to be Shield to [Applause] sear lenska is blocked kept alive beautiful save by Arizona State and it's a point for the Sun Devils great fight mlin the middle blocker makes a dive along the net to keep this ball alive right here with her right hand and then troll somehow is able to get it across the net incredible effort there from Arizona State mlin and as in the middle blocker is a player who we said played on the outside last year no one expected her to necessarily be playing in the middle this year but coach said she earned it and boy plays like that that you like to see Kip flies in for her 14th kill St now number two cyer 14 kills and hitting above [Applause] [Music] [Applause] 400 good serve schroll kept it alive the block that's going to head out of play Arizona State can't play that one and Stanford is the first to 20 and that not the sort of swing that we're used to seeing from Marta linsa not a lot behind that one so I don't think the connection was there where she felt like she could take quality rip Cammy Miner with the serve and it's an [Applause] ace we mentioned that player for player it's hard to find a roster that matches up with Sanford while Cammy Miner also repeated as Setter of the year in the Pack 12 second Ace of the tournament for Camy Miner Arizona State takes a timeout here in set two Kendall Kip's been on target as as of late hit 340 or better in each of the final five regular season matches so now we're in match number three of the NCAA tournament and as you mentioned she's hitting over 400 she's already posted 14 kills and we're in set two haven't even finished set two 14 kills on the board over 400 three blocks to go along with that she is dominant right now she has needed those kills to offset what's happening on the other side of the night with Marta linsa who has seven of her Nine Kills in this second set but right now Stanford on a little bit of a run a three nothing run to go up by three they go to [Applause] linsa now sear oh that came up and eight up Katy bar that ends the run a kill for sear Point Arizona State yeah Katy bear defensively sort of midcourt there where she could possibly pick up a tip but that sharp angle shot from seir just at her [Applause] up Miner to Kip great job by schroll Beed off hands Jeter set to the middle stroll another one that gets over the net now Kip blocked back out of play Point Arizona State in this particular rotation you'll often see kle Kip stay on the left side Katy be stay on the right side they'll just swing from those positions over the course of the rally they do so here but they get blocked several times look at Mary shroll she has been quality out of the back row and then you're going to see Katie be swinging from the right side after we saw Kendall Kip blocked from the left side they typically play on opposite sides of the net but then in that rotation when they start there in Surf receive you'll often see them stay and in that particular rally Arizona State got the better of them with their block Nish schroll has 16 digs already as for the blocks six each you can see by set Arizona State winning set one they had the advantage but in set two Stanford out blocking Arizona State but Stanford forced to take a timeout right now after back-to-back points for the sundevils to your point Eric 16 digs for Mary schr and there's not another player in this match who's even in double digits yet hov's at 13 oh excuse me you're right yep she's down there at the bottom I almost missed her 13 it's okay I didn't you know this is what teammates do when it's closing in at 11:00 Pacific time exactly we've been watching volleyball since 9:00 a.m. our time this morning when things got going between Louisville and kraton in Pittsburgh it has been a fantastic day of volleyball as we fully expected day night and morning we've got you covered here an exclamation point on a great season time now for a state number four linsa set to serve for Arizona State match before ours took 3 hours and 10 minutes to play this match started 950 Pacific Time be seir blocked seventh block for [Applause] Stanford kin Vini just waiting on her and because shaneon Shields just has a quick reaction a bump set to the outside obviously the placement not quite [Applause] there Jeter denied ogleby bumps it over Jeter couldn't get that one over now they try sear Miner goes back to who else but Kendall Kip kend nice pick up there by eler Ruben air tries to shoot one along the net and then the [Music] Finish 15 kills on 30 Swings with three errors battle at the net and Stanford won't get it over the net point for Arizona State St feels as though linsa has gone a little quiet here late in this second set she's in the back court we'll see if they use [Applause] [Music] her no using her here it's a service air and it's set point for for the [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Cardinal Hy bumps it towards Kip blocked by Arizona State but finished by Sammy Francis and Stanford takes it to Sammy Francis with the power tip leaves no doubt as she puts set two in the books Kip denied kept it alive and then Francis is the one who finishes off set number two for the Cardinals so they take set two 2521 the final so we're on to set three but first a brief intermission and before we do that we're going to talk with Kevin Hamley so you get off to a four nothing start Kevin in set number two what was the message coming out of set number one for your team well I we had eight hitting errors in the first set and gave him a lot of points and what we're not playing super clean right now we're still making a lot of Errors a lot of nerves I think that everyone's kind of feeling in this both teams are making more errors than they typically do and it's kind of like let's just keep attacking the court and you know scrap and fight on defense I think we have good plan we just got to keep executing I know Cammy Miner is capable of making great decisions but uh maybe there's no decision to be made is it just how much Kindle Kip can we feed here no I mean I think when times get tight and and Kip can carry us like right now we're struggling a little bit to get some points out of the middle and all that we're going to go back to it see if we can get it going but if we can't we're pretty fortunate to have Kip that can get us out Kevin thanks for your time we appreciate it even at a set of piece as we head to set number three here at Maples Pavilion at Stanford University set one to the Sun Devils set two to the Cardinal set three coming up here it's D and no matter which way this one goes we will have two pack 12 teams onto the regional final as Oregon has already ad Advanced and of course one of these packed 12 teams is hoping to join them Stanford starts the set with an ace that's how set two started for Katy bar and the [Applause] Cardinal abello Miner sets it for Ruben linsa dug out by miner tight to the net Miner up for it Ruben rolls it s picks the [Applause] spot nice timing there by Shields to go on over her team is absolutely scrambling she's on the run she throws it away from the Block and over the defense it was Shields the setter getting the point to tie it at [Applause] [Music] [Applause] one Jeter with the [Applause] [Music] serve Miner Kip pancake beautiful save by [Applause] Shields Reuben off the block for the point well coach JJ van Neil of Arizona State told us we have to be flying around defensively and to credit Arizona State they are doing that it is just even more Elite right now from Stanford what we're [Music] seeing [Music] [Applause] o [Applause] abello [Music] Reuben off the tip Point Stanford Ruben blasting blocker's hands high and hard that nice flat [Music] [Applause] shot Shields with the rip for the [Music] point Shields at 510 and that might be with her shoes on as a Setter turns on that one uses the left-handed [Applause] offense Shields involved in just about everything so far in set three now serving seir bump back to helloo Miner the back set to Kip for the kill 16 for Kendall Kip Eric I look back at the box score in the last meeting between these two teams when Arizona State won 3 and kendle Kip had six total kills in that entire match she already has 16 here today [Applause] [Music] linsa again blocked out of play Point Arizona State swinging across her body and off the hands of IA [Music] [Applause] [Music] Reuben [Music] J Jaden ravensburg on the serve for Arizona State it's a good serve sirar ogleby can't get it Point Arizona State tied four number 12 jelly sear that ball just hanging up in the air Shields is forced to use a bump set as she runs through it and jelly sear cuts it sharp inside the block really well played J Ste the net sent back over by Arizona State and they're in front here in the third linsa that time choosing to send it over on two doesn't let Shield set the ball but instead one hit two hits quick over and is able to get it to the floor before that Stanford de defense can get set and an ace for Arizona State to go up by two and when we talked about being a good service team it's so important to serve well in every rotation keep the pressure on those passers because half of the passing game is mental and you want to wear them down just as much mentally as you do physically four nothing run right now for Arizona State and Stanford ends the run and guess who uhuh as Kevin Hamley said what a luxury when we have to have her we can go to kall Kip well Arizona State on a nice little run they had to have it and they find her in the back [Applause] [Music] row Reuben delivers the surf and it's an ace that's the fourth for [Applause] Stanford and they actually are ahead of Arizona State right now in terms of Aces and and that is just an indicator that is certainly not the complete picture because Aces don't always tell the story of how much pressure you're creating from the service line linsa Kip will send it up into the crowd the The Kill that linsk got some nice Pace on that one there's been a few swings where it didn't feel like they had quite the connection they were looking for where she's had to take a little something off of the [Applause] ball sholl bear goes long Arizona State on top by two [Applause] Brad student from Tempe played at LMU the previous Four Seasons critical addition to this Arizona team at the libero spot that one is off the Sun Devils and Sammy Francis picks up the point she'll check out that'll put Sammy Francis back at zero she was actually in negative numbers along with Katie bar and mckin Vini so not a whole lot of offense out of the middle right now for Stanford Miner Kip On The [Applause] Run Miner big swing by be went off the disc up and it's a point for Stanford great response by bar there after the error to come back with a kill that's going to be five now to go along with five errors so she's back to zero but kimy Miner choosing to create a little more speed that time some nice Tempo on the ball that she pushes out to be Vin off the fingers Scholl's been flying all over the gym and hitting the Jim floor all night this time she can't control it and Stanford is back in front here in the third and speaking of luxuries the defense of shroll for Arizona state is in a luxury right now as you mentioned she has been everywhere Pringle surfes Jeter for seir that's heading out of play and it's a point for Arizona States and there's always a decision to be made there right if you're mckin and you're coming down she turns to make a play on that ball the question is always do I make a play on this ball or let the person behind me make and you have to hear them behind you they have to call you off if they're there deini doesn't hear anyone she tries to play the ball it's a really difficult ball for her to play on her way down she can't control it there has to be good communication if the defender coming in behind can make a play on the ball they have to call her off there like delay to mop up floor and here is linsa back to serve linsa does have one ace tonight was fourth in the Pack 12 in Aces this season Miner looks for the point and she gets it Cammy Miner that's her first Kill Tonight her 70th of the [Music] Season Pack 12 set of the year for for the second consecutive season at 60 assists and that five set win against Houston tying her career high ready to serve with Stanford in front even at a set of piece here in the third sirar too much for oy to handle and we're tied again s just unload on this and she and shields have found great rhythm with the speed of their attack it's not so fast that it's Error prone gives her room off the net to swing really nice [Applause] connection Kips head harder swings of the night that soft one will count just as much as the hard ones did all evening long 18th kill for her and another issue of communication that we saw similarly from Stanford moments ago this time it is between linsa and the off attacker there as two players in position to likely make a play on that ball and I think they hesitate not knowing who's going to take [Applause] it [Applause] Miner gets block back battle at the net won by Ruben and Stanford and you see Reuben there celebrate because she's had a few situations at the net where she's been used and finally she gets the better of one of [Music] those 12 kills for Reuben hitting at 300 also has nine [Music] digs abello turns it down good RIP by Roberto helloo the senior from [Applause] Brazil Texas coaching staff checking things out here they will take on the winner of this match coming up on Saturday 10:00 Eastern Time on ESPNU [Music] [Applause] [Music] that's Reuben again make it 13 now for Reuben and she has the hot hand all of a sudden first stand first one dig away from a double double no surprise from what we've seen from ellia Ruben so far in the tournament four kills this set for Reuben [Applause] vinsa Miner to Francis that's still up caught the scoreboard and it's a point for Stanford and I mean just barely graze the scoreboard unfortunately for hella who made a nice play on that you can see the scoreboard hanging down the underside just got brushed by that ball went over the other side of the [Applause] net 14 11 abello locked shroll got knocked back a couple of steps defending That [Applause] Swing Reuben great job by Reuben sent it deep sear did all she could couldn't get there and Reuben fired up leading by examp le as well Stanford by four even through closed eyelids okay yes 1511 Stanford out of the media timeout here in the third set thank you for being with us here tonight 11:14 on the west coast and for those of you watching in the Eastern Time Zone you're our kind of people yes you're our kind of people and we're going to have a challenge here out of the timeout going to challenge in or out on that call was inbounds called the floor out of bounds Arizona State Timeout on the floor so for the moment it's called a service error on Stanford's ogy but Stanford challenging it to see if this was in on the [Music] surf as a reminder these two teams played twice in the conference season and both were 3oh [Music] sweeps Arizona State winning at home and Stanford winning at home so third time is going to be a charm for one of these teams because it is going to advance them to a regional final and remember any piece of this line and the ball is considered in bounds well does it catch the back 5 mm of that line [Music] huh I'll take that I'm typically wrong on these so I think take that H is definitely in the inconclusive Department it is isn't it my record uh speaks for itself and it it's not it's not good what it says go for it go for it I felt like I felt like that was inconclusive and so I to me if it's inconclusive the call would stand and it does that motion with the arm that diagonal motion says yep inclusive the point call [Applause] [Music] stands so Stanford down to one [Applause] challenge Miner to Kip that's number 19 it amazes amazes me that mlin was not playing in the middle a season ago she's done such a nice job at the net from side to side she gets a deflection on that but because of Kendall Kip's ability to go hard and high off hands the ball still travels well over the defense good quick offense setting the middle to Matty McLaughlin and There She is again mlin the player who as we said just moments ago did not play in the middle last season very limited playing time they needed a middle this year and she has made that transition earned her spot coach said and what a fun season to be a part of the [Applause] ride Ruben Shields kept it in play linsa off hands back to Reuben sear goes off speed Miner for Bear linsa for the point Mary shroll is such a key piece of the puzzle for Arizona State and she is the player that they had to fill that role of libero and they were able to pick her up from LMU she returned home to tempy her her hometown dug out by [Applause] ravensburg be Miner reuben reuben on the line I think we're going to have a challenge and we [Applause] will looks like they're looking for a net violation holding up those three fingers would indicate a net violation is going to be the challenge here from Arizona State so they'll look at the play and see if Stanford was in the Nets during that [Applause] sequence JJ van Neil the Pack 12 coach of the year after assisting at his Alma moer USC for 5 years we've talked about it before when we went through his timeline the fact that he took over less than a year ago and here is this Arizona State team playing at Maples with a chance to move on to the regional final okay let's look anybody for Stanford in the net I would say the net moves there as they're coming down it's going to be a good challenge yeah looks like Sammy France is on her way down and I tell you what that is just such a great example about high high how high above the net they play when it's their elbows touching the net on their way down incredible isn't it is that spoken out of jealousy from your All American days in Florida yeah not in all American days at Florida yes it is spoken out of jealousy [Music] but I tell you this game is played so high above the net now so physical so much fun and it is a net violation so a successful challenge by Arizona State Sammy Francis knows yeah she tried to have a straight face out there not to give anything away but she knows not until the call is made and then you'll usually see him break the straight face for a moment 16 15 service error for Arizona States that's their third and after that delay in play on a challenge that goes your way it's always a bummer to give it right back to [Music] [Applause] [Music] him Ruben with the serve [Applause] sear Miner sets it back that's off hands shw got to another one can you believe it but mlin just couldn't clear the net what an effort by Mary stroll flying that little opening next to where we are she has just been a pleasure to watch she's all over the floor Eric but with such control she controls that ball so well 1815 C the tap [Applause] linsa Battle at the net Miner sets it back for Kip who has to reset her feet guess who troll flying in again bar missed the Mark Point Arizona state state and surprisingly Katy beard has just been a little error prone six kills but six errors to go along with [Applause] it has yet to find her groove 18 total attack arrows for Stanford that's the fourth service there for Arizona State so Ser for the c number three Anna Pringle Anna Pringle sophomore from La Hoya on the [Applause] serve quickly worked Stanford there defensively in the back row there's be another one that's off the mark and another point for Arizona State the set there from Cammy Miner to Katy be just didn't look right Katy be either early or the set just over her shoulder you see she has to reach back behind her and that's what causes the ball to travel out of bounds over the antenna Katy beard missed the middle excuse me the beginning of the Season Kip is going to get a touch call on that one and so a much needed side out there for Stanford as Ariz state was starting to mount a run but back to Katy be she had missed uh the beginning of the season with some injury and so SM JC players who have missed part of the Season go through some ups and [Applause] downs seir flying in to try to save it was Miner it's a point for the Sun Devils for the [Music] jelly seir heads back to serve for Arizona [Applause] State minor to bear this time they're syned up and it pays off with a be kill big time look from be right here perfectly in unison with Cammy Miner great choice there behind lots of space in that block there been good from the service line [Applause] today linsa oh man lot on that [Applause] one heavy arm that time for lin she racks up her 14th kill now hitting 306 CLA Jeter to serve for Arizona [Applause] State [Applause] Luben s blocked back the genie and Kip team up for the block great block out fell from kendle Kip who is such a capable Defender AET that of course you want her up on any back row [Music] attack eight blocks now for the Cardinals six for Arizona State 2219 and a timeout now called by Arizona state by Arizona state with a set three score Arizona State 19 Stanford 22 we talked about the serve being so critical in the first two matches this year the team that controlled the service line and there's no shortage of players who have piled up impressive Ser serve statistics he tried to say and look at the numbers here and it's not just one or two players putting I mean Kip 51 yes that's in a little bit of a different part of the orbit but that's a lot over 30 yeah that is a solid serving lineup the fact that every player who steps back there is able to create pressure and that is that's a handful for a passing line look at Kendall Kip getting the midnight snack in almost literally right now just before 11:30 Pacific time and you got to keep the energy up I mean this is this is late night it really is passing it around everybody taking a by to the PB&J there got to keep keep that energy flowing yeah everybody's making sure they're getting a little uh something to eat here on this late night at Maples Pavilion the reason why we're so late is because match number one between Texas and Tennessee took longer than 3 hours to play before Texas won it in five 311 is the time they had on the official stat sheet so we'll go with that Madison Skinner at 26 kills hit 328 in the five Setter Morgan fingle at 24 kills for Tennessee as the lady ball season comes to a close what a match here's Lin a timeout and here's a block Francis Ruben at the net for the Cardinal this particular rotation has trouble written all over it for Arizona state only two attackers and it's mclin who we have affir mentioned did not play in the middle last year and then habo out here on the left side so they're they're outside in their middle who are not as offensive out of that timeout they went to linsa to try to save him here in this rotation do they do the same thing set point for the Cardinal OG to [Applause] serve blin denied by Stamford kick Arizona State still [Applause] alive and you see the pump of the Fist there by linsa trying to get a little mojo on Arizona State Side even if they drop this set be nice to make a little push here and create some momentum moving forward ellia Ruben says there will be no momentum on my watch for you Arizona State Reuben gets the kill 15 kills for Reuben in the set she had six in that third set Stanford's on top two sets to one heading to set four here at [Applause] [Music] Maples we know there way we going find [Applause] it we'll be making W will keep all the way by this time Saturday night gosh I hope by this time Saturday night we'll know the four teams playing in Tampa I feel pretty certain about that he'll be down to four in the championship of course on ABC Sunday afternoon December 17th how about the play of ellot Rubin the sophomore we talked about how she's using her voice more but you know what she can do she can bring it on the court she had six kills in that third set she is leading this team in tournament play in terms of kills per set she's also leading them with emotion bringing some fire to this Stanford team who you know at at times has played with a lot of pressure this is a group that we mentioned several times on paper no one thinks they can be beat and they've had to live up to that on the court it's felt heavy at times we saw them you know after going up two sets To None against Houston all of a sudden get pushed to a fifth set and Coach H said to us hey we talk about these things we we have to live in the moment this is what it feels like to die this is what it feels was like to have your season on the line he said they're human they feel all of that and we got to learn to play through it and sometimes it's the best thing that can happen to you is to have a match like that early in the tournament battle through take that weight off your shoulders and move on forward fourth set is underway and it starts with the Kendall Kip kill that's her 21st and you know very well you were in this building calling the NCAA tournament last year when San Diego ended Stanford's season in five sets yeah and they had match point in set four or no excuse me were up 23 22 I believe in set four had an opportunity to shut the door and San Diego came storming back and so this is a team that maybe needed to learn to finish and this fourth set becomes very interesting to me can they keep their focus up two to one they they tend to look like a team who at times loses focus when they're winning so can they keep their focus here I think it's really important for this stand team to keep their focus over the course of the fourth set and go ahead and shut the door here abello mlin shut the door on the Block for Arizona State to get their first point of the four set ler to Reuben saved come on but not over Point Stanford another great effort by Arizona State to at least keep that point going as long as they did look at this defense of effort by Arizona state that they know that is how they compete against teams who are bigger more physical than they are it is with allout defensive effort and they've put it forth Miner over to Kip Miner goes to Francis in the middle for the [Music] kill has it been an abundance of offense out of the middle for Stanford but boy in transition is a good time to get it going and I love the fact that Sammy Francis is off the net and trans positioning hard there over the course of a rally off the hands seir gets the kill that's a block I would not like to meet Sammy Francis alongside Kindle Kip and yet seir because of the speed of their offense is able to compete nice quick arm and she finds a seam here's schroll that one's going to sail long fifth service air for Arizona State now number 10 kend Kendo Kip back to the line led the Pack 12 this season in [Music] [Applause] asesin set for Kip O with to dig minor to [Applause] Reuben ooy stepping into the angle and as I said of sholl moments ago Ogie as well they don't just make first Contact they control first Contact it's what sets them apart St service era number seven for Stanford number Lin linsa back to serve fourthe senior from Ria [Applause] lfia that's going to go long and we have seen Mar linsa get hot from the service line over the course of this match and create a lot of issues for Stanford so a big sigh of relief from the passing line as that one Sails Long [Applause] [Music] on the overpass Stanford takes advantage up by four early here in the fourth Elliot Ruben for Stanford this time putting pressure on the [Applause] pass set back linsa and ducking out of the way just in time bit of a [Music] [Music] you've got Barett and Francis at the net you've got Ruben Balon out and this is a quick challenge oh there's the touch right there Francis right that was a quick review too look up and are done so successful challenge by Arizona State point for the Sun devil did you notice how shallow in the court Elia ruin was there yesterday in practice coach Hy said her I love your courage stepping into the middle of the Court ready to take a blast but he was egging her to stay deeper to play balls high off the blocker's hands that's not the case there and that's why she was stepping up into the court cheater at the net with the [Music] [Applause] blocker the pass by Katie beard and then right back to her and off of the bump set that ball ends up high and tight inside and Jeter all over it Serv eror service error again for Arizona State Kevin Hy's team dropped set one Arizona state had a couple of aces in that first set but Stanford taking sets two and sets three [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] and a net violation on Stanford net violation Point Arizona State and I think Kevin hamy is going to challenge this one the players say no Kevin Hamley says to them I can read his lips are you sure they say [Music] no coach's challenge issu by Stanford challenging the net violation call the play is underw all right back to the monitor we go we'll take a look yep there's contact on the net [Music] there you know and it's interesting here cuz for the players to say no at A Moment Like This that doesn't seem particular overly important you wonder if if with their sleeve they don't feel that contact with the net because I I don't know why they would at this point encourage coach to challenge if they knew that they had touched the net there the cheny and Min are are having a good laugh about it like you did you say no no you said no wait who said no they should have said no to the challenge because that was a quick review and Stanford has used their fin challenge of this fourth set so that's it if we go to a fifth set they will be granted One Challenge so we're early here in the fourth [Applause] set Ole be tried could not save it and here come the sundevils back back down by [Applause] [Music] one we saw the Tennessee Libo on a diving play earlier tonight injured they GI yeah just a moment it looked like Missy just to gather herself she seems to be okay Jay Torres went out with an injury for Tennessee and Lady vs scrambled and pieced it together had a match point in the fourth set but Texas fought off that match point and endly ended up winning in five that's a point for Stanford Point Stanford now Serv for the Cardinal number two Camy Miner Cammy Miner back to serve for the [Applause] cardinal [Applause] and a net violation the fans felt like there should have been a double hit contact called against Arizona State it was not and instead they get a net violation against the Cardinal and they don't like that [Music] either there's Shields Miner Kip for the kill 22 for Kendall Kip that's a new season High she reached 21 kills three times this year it's the sixth time she's gone for 20 or more this season and now she's one kill shy of her career high and just an appreciation shout out for Cammy Miner who going to her knees well off the net has so much strength in that set to hang it up there for kendle K Ace Katie Barett has been strong from the line tonight that's her third service Ace and it just feels like Sanford starting to pull away here timeout called by Arizona State here in the fourth set with Stanford up two sets to one out of the timeout ktie bar ready to serve again for Stanford here at Maples Pavilion at Stanford University Eric Freed Missy whittimore and our tremendous hardworking crew who should put in for overtime tonight oh there's a block good job by mlin at the [Applause] net big play out of the timeout for Arizona State come out score points defensively see if you can create a little [Applause] momentum ravensburg serves it at be Reuben set beautifully by miner and Ruben's got her 18th kill what a great choice by Cammy Miner able to hold the middle blocker these nice steady hands they've got that middle attack coming down with Vini there and instead sends it right past her to the outside and big crosscourt swing from Elliot Reuben that's 50 total kills in the NCAA tournament so far for Ruben crosscourt TI it at the net that worked out well and maybe better than it should have for Arizona State and they know it and again fans here in the stands do not agree they feel like there's been a couple missed contacts double contacts on second ball for Arizona state that the officials have let [Applause] go Reuben that's another one for Reuben closing in on 20 she had a career-high 23 last time out in that five Center against Houston Reuben playing off the approach of Sammy Francis who you see right there 17 in white Sammy coming hard in front and Reuben just over her shoulder for somewhat of a front Little X [Applause] there s off the block for the point going touch Arizon State and we said before the break it feels as though Stanford starting to pull away but I'll tell you what never count Arizona State out this is a team people were looking to their first round match against Georgia kind of had it Circle thinking oh this is going to be really competitive well their first two rounds were not competitive because Arizona Z blew right through those first two rounds without dropping a set and here they are in the regional punching back now against Stanford that win Over Georgia a sweep was was their first NCA tournament win since 2014 and Arizona State hit 427 in that sweep follow that up with an impressive performance against BYU at a very tough place for teams to play Smith Fieldhouse Samy Francis Shields be got there Miner sets Ruben [Applause] again back handed over Reuben has it minor Francis Francis set it back and Sammy Francis I don't know why I like better the play as Anette or her reaction to her teammates but she brings these fans to their feet she's like how did that drop kind of face and like oh it drop D let's celebrate get up get up get up linsa blocked Francis and be teaming up at the [Music] net and you're seeing Sammy Francis in the middle watch her she's waiting waiting the set is made and such great movement to her left closing that block that is hard to do when you're reading and then releasing your first step has to be solid 11 team blocks for Stanford and you're hot you're hot ellot rubben got plenty of tape but it had enough to get over for the [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] ace that's hitting the scoreboard but it came down on the Arizona State Side so still in play but not not much that Arizona State could do with it after that and it's 1712 and Arizona state will use their final timeout we talked about the team that had the edge at the service line was going to have the edge in the match and Stanford seems to be that team right now early in this match there were a couple rotations where I felt like Arizona state had the edge but we've seen the passing line from Stanford Hold Steady and actually get better over over the course of the match they haven't backed away from it they stood in there really solid passed with confidence lots of communication and in a couple of those key rotations we've seen some errors from Arizona state which of course you're going to see when you're going back and serving that aggressively and trying to put pressure on there's going to be some misses along the way the Cardinal had won 29 in a row in Pack 12 play before running into Arizona State on October 29th and that kind of put a lot of doubt in a lot of followers head saying wait a minute what's going to happen here the most recent match was an Arizona runaway against Stanford but Arizona State came out took set number one and Stanford has responded well since then the home two and three home court seems to have been a factor for these uh teams in terms of the matchup you know Cardinal winning at home Arizona State winning at home but I think right now what most important for Stanford is to finish really strong to close out a match on a high note not allow an opponent back in going into to a match if they could seal the deal here and go in against Texas I think they feel a lot better if they're able to finish on a strong Note coming off of that Houston match it almost felt like they dodged a bullet it didn't feel like they were in [Music] control point for Ariza [Applause] State Jeter does such a nice job here of staying with her Setter traveling along the net and you see Sammy Francis trying to follow but leaning that block is leaning that's why Jeter has the [Applause] advantage be great job by [Music] Sear Miner looks for the kill now Miner looks for the [Applause] [Music] assist minor to Francis and again for Sanford we're seeing success for the middle in particular in transition this is exactly when Cammy Miner wants to find her over the course of a long rally easy to lose sight of your defensive assignment and for your backcourt defense just no time to prepare for that attack from Sammy Francis set back linsa and Kip was there but couldn't handle it that's a kill for linsa that's number 16 for her and you saw that reaction from Kip herself as she looks up at the board trying to see it again she's thinking I was right where I needed to [Music] [Applause] be Jeter to be Miner to vti out of play point Stanford Cammy Miner I'll tell you what she she relied on Kip a little bit early when things were shaky for the Cardinal but as coach Hamley said we want to spread it around if we can and right now they can and Cammy Min are getting everyone [Applause] [Music] involved [Music] linsa Miner with the Dig ogita bear Arizona state with a [Applause] point K be trying to put a little something on that even though it's an out of system ball off the net and I can appreciate [Music] [Applause] that Shannon Shields back to serve for Arizona State Miner to Kip great job by Arizona State get it up stay in this point Miner to be and Cammy Miner just having fun now showing off her weapons seeing if she can get a kill for everybody here Miner over 50 assists on the night up to 52 now and Katy bear did the double figures with 10 [Applause] kills Shields to linsa that's number 17 for Marta the high deep Corner that is the sweet spot if you can find [Applause] it ravensburg to serve [Applause] [Music] Kip Stanford sides out again such steady passing right now against this Arizona State team who can be so dangerous from the service line and we're just seeing nice consistent passing now from [Applause] Stanford [Music] [Applause] that one is wide and Stanford is closing inord on a match win just three points away now good block set up by kle Kip just daring sear to try to swing down the [Applause] line Shields back for linsa dropped down by Francis and by Ruben the link at the net of Sammy Francis as on her way down she just Taps it right back at [Music] him 12 team blocks now for the [Music] Cardinal Shields works it quickly to Matty McLaughlin for the kill good look by m mlin they're in front on serve [Applause] receive Mary [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Scholl oy sets it over to Kip another up for her punched over the net by seir they look for Kip again but that's going to be off the mark when the ball's coming over your shoulder in transition it's a high ball that you're receiving out of the back court it's just difficult to find your bearings on the floor exactly where you are and where you're [Music] [Applause] swinging go schroll Clips the tape Reuben sear three straight points for Arizona State and Stanford will take a timeout St Arizona State just transitioning transitioning transitioning trying to turn rallies into points and see are able to do [Applause] so 2319 Stanford taking the time out it is now midnight here on the West Coast and this Regional semifinal day began Thursday at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time noon eastern time and you can see what's happened on our side of the bracket with Wisconsin picking up a victory in four sets against Penn State in Oregon with the sweep of Purdue and we've talked about the Texas five set Marathon their win over Tennessee the winner of this match will take on the Longhorns the defending national champions on Saturday night and aren't these coaches glad that the tournament has now built in a day of rest for the players between the regional semifinal tonight and the final that will be on Saturday here's the other side of the bracket Arkansas with the five- set win over Kentucky first Regional final appearance for the RAC backs Jill Gillan at 20 kills at 391 another big match from her she's just had never ending string of big matches in her great Arkansas career Pittsburgh and Louisville setting up a rematch Saturday at 400 p.m. eastern time in all ACC Regional final first meeting was a Louisville sweep second meeting pit with a reverse sweep Louisville had a match point that point difference the difference between who's hosting between and Louisville and Sanford hoping for a rematch here as well as they would like to play Texas [Applause] again Arizona State Building some momentum it's not too late for a team that we've seen go on runs during the season where they have picked up 28 wins four straight points here and it ends with a service error great communication there between be and ellia Reuben oh second controls going back timeouts being called by Stanford stford 21 Stanford [Music] 23 so I don't know if there was I looked at the side judge I don't know if the up judge made the call on something but it's let's take you back through it here as Stanford takes the time [Music] out yeah that's on the [Music] line and I believe the up official is the one who overturned that call and I'm not sure obvious I'm not sure that Stanford disagrees because we don't get a challenge well that's the key here right Stanford does not have a challenge left here for this fourth set go to Five they get one back but it's going to be Arizona State point so it's 2321 after the stroll Ace five nothing run these three Stanford passers pass in every rotation side by side ellot Ruben Katie beard Elena olvy it can create a lot of Rhythm but you have to feel like it can also create a lot of pressure and that they never get a mental break from passing they have to be locked in the entire match you talked about it before the pressure and it's building up here a little bit here late in the fourth set on [Applause] [Music] Stanford very schroll has been all over this court tonight that one is wrong it is a service error and it is now match point for [Music] [Applause] Stanford and it's an ace the Cardinal win in four they'll take on Texas in the regional final on Saturday the final Pack 12 meeting between these two as they go their separate ways next season and it goes to the Pack 12 Champion [Music] Stanford the Cardinal take two out of three this season against Arizona State and the second one the most important one it sends the Cardinal on to their fifth Regional Final in seven season J