Samantha Wopat, Stanford volleyball player, dies

The death of sophomore volleyball player Samantha 'Sam' Wopat has stunned and saddened the Stanford campus.

Ms. Wopat, 19, died at Stanford Hospital on Sunday, eight days after being taken there after what the school called a medical emergency at her campus residence. She remained in the intensive-care unit until her death, when she was surrounded by family, friends and teammates.

The cause of her death was not disclosed.

'We are deeply saddened by the passing of Sam Wopat,' athletic director Bob Bowlsby said. 'She was an integral member of the Stanford athletics family and a tremendous student and athlete.'

Stanford and the volleyball program 'have lost a wonderful young woman,' he said.

Ms. Wopat, considered one of the nation's top players at Dos Pueblos High School in Goleta (Santa Barbara County), joined the Stanford team in 2010, along with her twin, Carly. An outside hitter, she did not play much as a freshman and sophomore.

The 2011 team finished tied for fourth in the Pac-12 with a 15-7 mark and was eliminated by Michigan in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Ms. Wopat appeared in 25 sets as a sophomore and averaged 1.16 kills per set.

She played on the 2010 U.S. junior national team, a year after playing on the youth national team that com.