No. 5 Penn State women’s volleyball lost to No. 4 Stanford in straight sets Friday night at Maples Pavilion.

In a showdown between seven-time national champions, the Cardinal prevailed 25-23, 25-20, 25-20 over Russ Rose’s Nittany Lions.

How It Happened

Senior outside hitter Nia Reed paced Penn State’s offense with six kills in the first set, but Stanford (5-1) pulled away thanks to a kill from Kathryn Plummer, last year’s AVCA national player of the year, and a service ace from Jenna Gray. Plummer led all hitters with 15 kills.

Not only did Gray earn first-team All-American honors as a setter last season, but she’s also a two-time All-American javelin thrower for the Cardinal, finishing second at the NCAA outdoor championships in June with a heave of 57.29 meters.

Reed tied her career high with 14 kills in the loss, while junior libero Kendall White tallied a match-high 19 digs. Taylor Leath nearly notched a double-double with 10 kills and nine digs. It was a rather tough night offensively for the Nittany Lions, who hit .193 as a team compared to Stanford’s .294 clip.

“I would still think Stanford is the favorite to be competing for the national championship at the end of the year,” Rose said Tuesday. “They have all the ingredients to remain the top team in the country.”

Player of the Match

Jenna Gray | Setter

The Shawnee, KS, native dished out a match-high 40 assists and added six digs, three kills, three blocks, and a service ace.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions (5-1) will wrap up the Big Ten/Pac-12 Challenge Saturday at 5 p.m. when they face No. 18 Oregon at Maples Pavilion. The Ducks upset No. 1 Minnesota 3-1 Friday.