Top-seed Stanford advanced to the quarterfinal round at the NCAA Championships, as the defending champion Cardinal defeated Pepperdine by a final score of 4-1 on Saturday in Athens, Georgia. Pepperdine, ranked No. 20 nationally, finishes the season with a dual match record of 19-8.

Stanford, ranked No. 2, improves its dual match mark to 24-1 and advances to a quarterfinal round showdown on Sunday against Tennessee. The Cardinal opened the match by winning the all-important doubles point. Stanford's K.J. Hippensteel and Alex Kim recorded an 8-6 win over Sebastien Graeff and Stefan Suter at No. 1 doubles. The Cardinal tandem of Ali Ansari and Scotty Scott posted an 8-4 victory over Al Garland and Steve Racioppi at No. 3 doubles.

Pepperdine's Al Garland, ranked No. 21 nationally, picked up a point for the Waves at No. 1 singles, as top-ranked Alex Kim retired due to cramps despite holding a 6-4, 2-3 lead.

The Cardinal, however, clinched the match by picking up wins at No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 singles.

Hippensteel notched a come-from-behind 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 win over Suter at No. 2 singles. David Martin edged Graeff at No. 3 singles by scores of 6-2, 7-6. Ryan Haviland edged the Waves' Calle Hansen at No. 4 singles by a 7-6, 6-4 count.

"We have been able to be competitive with Stanford this year," said Pepperdine head coach Peter Smith. "We played them close at their place about one month ago. This loss will stick with me for a long time. I thought we had a chance to win, but Stanford showed why they have won so many team championships."

Stanford (4) vs. Pepperdine (1)
at Henry Feild Stadium; Athens, Georgia

SINGLES --
Al Garland (P) d. Alex Kim; 4-6, 3-2 retired
K.J. Hippensteel (S) d. Stefan Suter; 3-6, 6-4, 6-4
David Martin (S) d. Sebastien Graeff; 6-2, 7-6
Ryan Haviland (S) d. Calle Hansen; 7-6, 6-4
Steve Racioppi (P) vs. Scotty Scott (S); Racioppi led 7-5, 3-5
Gerold Wiring (P) vs. Ali Ansari (S); Ansari led 7-5, 3-2

DOUBLES --
Hippensteel / Kim (S) d. Graeff / Suter; 8-6
Hansen / Ryan Redondo (P) vs. Scott Lipsky / Martin; Tied 7-7
Ansari / Scott (S) d. Garland / Racioppi; 8-4

Stanford: 24-1 / Ranked No. 2
Pepperdine: 19-8 / Ranked No. 20