It was bound to happen --the numbers said it would be soon.

Outside hitter Ashley Pederson started this, her senior season, with 937 career kills.

She was going to get to 1,000, and probably sooner rather than later.

Against No. 12 Stanford, the Penn State women's volleyball team was in for an incredibly tough match Friday night and Pederson was only five kills away from 1,000.

The Nittany Lions took the tight first game 31-29, and at the start of the second game Stanford jumped out to a 5-2 early lead.

Sam Tortorello sent the ball over to the outside -- Pederson territory -- and she simply put it away for number 1,000. No frills. Pederson is only the 16th player to reach 1,000 kills for the Lions. Lori Barberich holds the all-time Penn State record for kills at 2,282.

"I wasn't really thinking about it, but when it happened I was happy and excited," Pederson said. "All I thought about was the match, and it was a good win."

It was a good win for the Lions, knocking off Stanford on The Cardinal's home court.

But it was a special moment for the 6-foot-1 star from Sioux Falls, S.D., an affirmation of a career characterized by hard-work and consistency.

Pederson has played more matches and games for the Lions, 92 matches and 296 games, than anyone else on the roster except for fellow senior Tabitha Eshelman.

She's been instrumental from the beginning. Foregoing the option of redshirting, Pederson played in 23 matches and put up 141 kills as a freshman.

She more than doubled that statistic in her sophomore season, putting up a fine 288. Last year was the big year for Pederson. She snagged 508 kills in 36 matches for the Lions and was a big-time player in the NCAA tournament before the Lions were knocked out in the Elite 8.

"Ashley has been a dependable player," Penn State women's volleyball coach Russ Rose said. "She's been good throughout her career. She's taken on a huge load this year, and Katie [Price]'s performance Friday night helped to lift a little bit of the burden."

Rose is talking about the burden of replacing someone like Erin Iceman, someone like Cara Smith, two players who were the heart and soul of Penn State's attack the last four years. Rose is talking about the burden of staying healthy and stepping it up while all the Lions middle hitters, including starter Cassy Salyer, are playing with injuries.

Price, a freshman, was key against Stanford, leading all Lions with 28 kills on 73 attempts and earning tournament MVP honors, but she's got a great teammate from whom to learn.

With all the distractions of a new season keeping Pederson's mind busy by breaking in new players like Price, she might not have time to enjoy this special milestone, but she certainly has earned it.