BYU Photo
PROVO — Davide Gardini’s career-high 22 kills led No. 9 BYU to a five-set (21-25, 25-17, 21-25, 25-23, 17-15) victory over No. 8 Stanford at the Smith Fieldhouse on Thursday to remain undefeated at home.
The decisive fifth set began in Stanford’s favor after it claimed the first two points. BYU battled to regain the lead, however, and a Storm Fa’agata-Tufuga kill tied up the set 5-5. Stanford took the advantage again but a Felipe de Brito Ferreira kill evened it out once more, 11-11. A BYU triple block kept Stanford from taking the first possible match point opportunity, and a Taylor Richards pancake ultimately led to BYU taking the set and match point, 17-15.