Stanford took the court in Sacramento for the Far Westerns tournament, competing in a series of high-level matchups over two days. The team opened strong with a perfect Day 1, going undefeated and showing signs of elite chemistry and execution. Day 2, however, proved to be more challenging, offering valuable lessons and experience for the squad.
The first match of the tournament pitted Stanford against UC Santa Cruz. From the opening serve, Stanford was in complete control. With strong blocking at the net and powerful swings from all positions, they cruised to a straight-set sweep. A major factor in the win was the performance of Mario Portillo, who opened up the middle with brilliant runs that drew blockers and created easy kill opportunities. His quick movement and reads allowed Stanford to score efficiently in transition. On the defensive side, Portillo disrupted UC Santa Cruz's offensive rhythm by taking away the middle attack, forcing them to rely on their pin hitters—who were met with a disciplined Stanford block.
The early win set the tone for a day filled with high-level execution.
The second match against the University of Washington followed a similar script. Stanford's defensive prowess, highlighted by stellar digs from libero Nolan Mejia, stopping Washington's offense and keeping Stanford in system. Momentum never wavered as Stanford once again won in dominant, straight-set fashion.
The toughest test of the day came in the final match against Sacramento State. Stanford edged out a close first set, but Sac State bounced back to take the second, forcing a decisive third. In the final frame, Stanford delivered under pressure. Alejandro d'Arbeloff and Skye Hathaway stepped up with timely blocks, while Mejia continued to shine defensively. Offensively, Dylan Pichay and Carter Sun provided crucial setting and attacking to push Stanford across the finish line. The hard-fought win capped an undefeated Day 1 and showcased the team's grit and depth.
Day 2 began with a matchup against Oregon. Unlike the previous day, Stanford started slow and struggled to find their rhythm. Oregon capitalized on the early lead and never looked back, taking the match in straight sets.
Stanford then faced UC Davis, where the team showed signs of improvement but was ultimately outpaced by a well-organized Davis squad. Another 2-0 loss sent Stanford to the Bronze bracket.
In their final match of the tournament, Stanford took on the University of Denver. Once again, the team couldn't find the early energy needed to set the tone. Denver won the close match, and despite some flashes of solid play, Stanford was handed a third straight loss.
While Day 2 was not the outcome Stanford had hoped for, the team left Sacramento with valuable experience and a clear understanding of what they're capable of when fully locked in. The undefeated Day 1 performance highlighted their potential, and with adjustments, they look forward to bouncing back stronger in the next tournament.
