Stanford University women27s volleyball team, ranked No. 12 with a 7-3 overall record, opens Atlantic Coast Conference play this week with two challenging road matches. The Cardinal travel to face No. 5 SMU on September 25 at 6 p.m. PT and No. 2 Pittsburgh on September 27 at 5:30 p.m. PT.
Stanford holds a 1-1 series record against SMU, having swept the Mustangs in Dallas in 2024 but losing 3-1 at home in 2025. Against Pittsburgh, Stanford leads 5-1 all-time, including a five-set victory last season at Maples Pavilion.
Key players include opposite hitter Jordyn Harvey, who recently earned ACC Offensive Player of the Week honors with averages of 4.64 kills and a .402 hitting percentage, and sophomore setter Logan Parks, recognized as ACC Setter of the Week. Harvey and Parks were instrumental in Stanford27s 2-1 finish at the SLO Classic.
On September 25, Stanford will also honor former standout Inky Ajanaku with induction into the Stanford Athletics Hall of Fame. Ajanaku, a four-time All-American and the 2016 NCAA champion who was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player, becomes the 15th women27s volleyball player so recognized.
Stanford was the coaches27 preseason pick to win the ACC, placing a program-record five players on the Preseason All-ACC Team: Lizzy Andrew, Julia Blyashov, Spencer Etzler, Jordyn Harvey, and Logan Parks. Andrew and Parks are also on the AVCA Player of the Year Watch List. The Cardinal27s 2026 schedule includes 10 matches against AVCA-ranked teams, six of which are in the top five nationally.
Head coach Kevin Hambly enters his 10th season at Stanford with a 235-50 record and has led the team to back-to-back NCAA championships. Under his leadership, the Cardinal have cultivated numerous All-Americans and continue to build on their record nine NCAA titles and 23 Final Four appearances.
CSB Take
Stanford women27s volleyball begins ACC play with a robust lineup and high expectations, facing some of the nation27s best teams early in the season. The induction of Inky Ajanaku into the Hall of Fame underscores the program27s enduring excellence. With experienced coaching and multiple award-winning players, Stanford appears poised to compete for both conference and national honors.
Source: Original report
