Dec. 14, 2013
LEXINGTON, Ky. — NCAA Lexington Regional Most Outstanding Player Deja McClendon and Ariel Scott combined for 43 kills and 24 digs to lead No. 2 Penn State to a 3-2 (22-25, 25-22, 28-26, 18-25, 15-11) win against No. 7 Stanford on Saturday at Memorial Coliseum in the NCAA Regional Finals.
Penn State (32-2), which lost the first set and trailed 9-6 in the fifth set, advances to the NCAA Semifinals for the 11th time in program history and the sixth time in seven years.
“I thought it was a great match of two teams that have great respect for each other,” Penn State head coach Russ Rose said. “I certainly want to recognize the great seniors on Stanford team. I thought tonight our seniors really carried the day.”
Scott turned in a match-high 22 kills with eight digs, while McClendon charted a double-double with 21 kills on .315 hitting with a team-high 16 digs and four blocks. Setter Micha Hancock dished out a match-high 58 assists, while scooping 15 digs. Middle blocker Katie Slay charted nine kills on .438 hitting with a match-high 10 blocks.
Stanford (27-6) had four players post double-figure kills, led by 17 from Jordan Burgess and Rachel Williams. Burgess and Brittany Howard each recorded a match-high 18 digs. Inky Ajanaku added 11 kills and a team-high seven blocks.
The NCAA Volleyball Championships take place November 19-21 at Seattle, Wash.
NCAA Lexington Regional All-Tournament Team
Most Outstanding Player: Deja McClendon, Penn State
Alyssah Fitterer, Michigan State
Ashley Wittman, Minnesota
Mandi Bugg, Stanford
Jordan Burgess, Stanford
Ariel Scott, Penn State
Micha Hancock, Penn State
