Stanford Beats Gophers To Reach NCAA Volleyball Final

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Inky Ajanaku had 15 kills and nine blocks and Stanford beat second-ranked Minnesota in four sets Thursday night to reach the NCAA women's volleyball final.

The 6-foot-6 freshmen hitting duo of Kathryn Plummer and Audriana Fitzmorris combined for 25 kills in the 26-24, 25-19, 22-25, 25-22 victory.

Morgan Hentz and setter Jenna Gray made up the rest of the freshmen quartet that proved vital in leading Stanford (26-7) to its first national final since 2008.

Stanford will face the Nebraska-Texas winner in the final.

Sarah Wilhite led Minnesota (29-5) with 25 kills. The Gophers had won 14 straight matches.

Stanford hit just .188 in the match, with the Gophers swinging at a rate of .149.