Stanford volleyball player Samantha Wopat dies

Sad news this morning from Palo Alto. Samantha Wopat--known to all as Sam--died yesterday at Stanford Hospital. She was 19.

Both Sam and her twin sister, Carly, were members of the 2011 Stanford volleyball team.

No word yet on a cause of death. Here's Stanford's official announcement.

[see also: Memorial fund established for Stanford volleyball player Samantha Wopat]

March 26, 2012 

Samantha "Sam" Wopat died at Stanford Hospital on Sunday, March 25. She was a member of the women's volleyball team and a former member of the U.S. Women's Junior National Team. 

STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford University is mourning the passing of Samantha "Sam" Wopat, a sophomore student-athlete on the women's volleyball team.

Wopat, who was 19, died Sunday, March 25, at Stanford Hospital, surrounded by family, friends and teammates. Wopat was hospitalized on Saturday, March 17, after a medical emergency at her Stanford residence. She remained in the intensive care unit of Stanford Hospital until her death. 

Wopat joined the Stanford women's volleyball team in 2010, along with her twin sister, Carly, and excelled as an outside hitter. At Stanford, Wopat appeared in 25 sets as a sophomore and averaged 1.16 kills per set. As a freshman, she saw action in 11 sets and registered a .571 season hitting percentage. 

Prior to enrolling at Stanford, Wopat was a member of the 2010 U.S. Women's Junior National Team. In 2009, she participated in Thailand as a member of the U.S. Youth National Team that competed at the World Championships. She was a member of Junior Olympic teams in 2006, 2007 and 2008. 

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Sam Wopat," said Bob Bowlsby, the Jaquish & Kenninger Director of Athletics at Stanford. "She was an integral member of the Stanford Athletics family and a tremendous student and athlete. On behalf of our administration, coaches and students I extend my condolences to Sam's siblings, parents, relatives and friends. Stanford University and the Women's Volleyball program have lost a wonderful young woman." 

Information about a memorial to celebrate Wopat's life will be shared as it becomes available. In the meantime, the university continues to provide support to the Wopat family and to Sam Wopat's friends, teammates and fellow students.  

Samantha Alohilani Wopat was born on Oct. 13, 1992 in Santa Barbara, Calif.. She was a 2010 graduate of Dos Pueblos High School in Goleta, Calif., where she lettered in volleyball, track and field and basketball. She and her sister were both named the 2010 Dos Pueblos High School Top Female Athlete. 

As a senior, Wopat led her team in kills and aces. She helped lead the team to the CIF Division 1A Southern California title. She was considered one of the nation's top volleyball players in PrepVolleyball's Senior Aces rankings. In 2009, she was named a PreVolleyball High School All-American and a Volleyball Magazine Second Team All-American. 

She also played for the Santa Barbara Volleyball Club, which won the 2010 Southern California Junior National Qualifier. 

Wopat is survived by her parents, Ron and Kathy Wopat of Santa Barbara, Calif., her twin sister, Carly, who is also a member of the Stanford women's volleyball team; and two younger brothers, Jackson and Eli.