Incoming Volleyball Class Ranked Fourth Nationally

EUGENE, Ore. – The Oregon volleyball team's incoming recruiting class received national recognition on Thursday, as the five-player class was ranked No. 4 in the nation by prepvolleyball.com.

The quintet of middle blockers Karson Bacon and Chandlar Duff, outside hitter Brooke Nuneviller, setter Kylie Robinson and libero Camryn Tastad is tied for the second-best class in program history.

The Ducks' 2015 class was also No. 4 and their 2016 class was the highest-ranked group in UO history at No. 2, meaning Oregon will have its three highest-ranked classes on the same roster in 2018.

"This group brings in a history of success, leadership on and off the court, and a desire to achieve greatness," said head coach Matt Ulmer. "I am excited to see how they fit with our current group of talented Ducks. The competition in our gym is going to be intense. I believe that this class will leave a positive lasting impression on the program. It's a great day to be a Duck."

Robinson is the top-rated individual recruit in UO history at No. 8 on prepvolleyball.com's prestigious "Senior Aces" list for the 2018 class, two spots above middle blocker Ronika Stone, who was No. 10 in 2016. Bacon, an imposing middle blocker at 6 feet, four inches, is not far behind at No. 11.

Nuneviller is ranked 27th overall by prepvolleyball.com with Duff at No. 92 to give the Ducks four top-100 recruits, and Bacon, Nuneviller and Tastad were all Under Armour first-team all-Americans.

The new recruits join a talented Oregon roster that includes Stone, 2016 third-team all-American Lindsey Vander Weide, senior setter August Raskie and right-side hitter Willow Johnson. The Ducks, entering their second season under Ulmer, are coming off an 18-12 season in 2017 and a run to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Extensive biographies on all five of the Ducks' incoming freshmen are below.

KARSON BACON
Middle Blocker | Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. | Rancho Cucamonga HS | Senior Aces: No. 11
Standing at 6'4", Bacon is a dominant force in the middle as a terrific blocker with excellent vision and great body control. An Under Armour first-team all-American, Bacon was a four-year starter at Rancho Cucamonga High School and starred for the Tstreet Volleyball Club, and she has added versatility this year as a senior by moving to outside hitter out of need. Bacon hit better than .400 in each of her first three high school seasons, while being a dominant force on the block. Bacon's height, length and athleticism should be an ideal fit for the Ducks' quick-tempo offense. She signs with Oregon as one of two top-15 recruits for the Ducks.

CHANDLAR DUFF
Middle Blocker | Grosse Pointe South HS | Grosse Pointe, Mich. | Senior Aces: No. 92
Along with Bacon, Duff provides the Ducks with another big, dynamic athlete coming in as a middle blocker. Long and lean at 6'2", Duff's speed and lateral movement enables her to be a tremendous blocker in the middle. Duff played for Grosse Pointe South High School and Legacy Volleyball Club, and she was a key member of the Legacy 16 Elite squad that finished top five nationally. A sprinter in high school, Duff's speed and athleticism should make for an exciting and explosive player for the Ducks.

BROOKE NUNEVILLER
Outside Hitter | Tempe, Ariz. | Corona del Sol HS | Senior Aces: No. 27
The lone outside hitter coming in for the Ducks, Nuneviller is regarded as one of the best pure volleyball players in the entire 2018 class. She is known for her passion and energy, and brings with her a lot of versatility for the Ducks. Nuneviller starred at outside hitter at Corona del Sol High School and for Aspire VBC, where she was named an all-American in the 17 Open division, but she also served as the libero for the USA Youth National Team the past two summers. Nunevilller was also named to the Under Armour first-team all-American team, and she has a history of winning after leading Corona del Sol to a state title. With great leaping ability, a huge arm and much improved passing in serve receive, Nuneviller should have plenty of opportunities to contribute with the Ducks.

KYLIE ROBINSON
Setter | Claremont, Calif. | Claremont High School | Senior Aces: No. 8
Robinson signs with the Ducks as the highest-ranked recruit in Oregon volleyball history at No. 8 on the Senior Aces list, two spots ahead of Ronika Stone (2016). Robinson provides needed depth at the setter position with senior Maggie Scott graduating this year, and brings with her an impressive pedigree and a tremendous volleyball IQ. Robinson switched from outside hitter to setter out of need as a freshman, and has become an elite talent at the setter position. Last summer, Robinson led her San Gabriel Elite club team to a national third-place finish, earning all-tournament honors. The daughter of a former Panamanian Olympic sprinter, Robinson brings with her tremendous athleticism to compliment excellent ball-handling skills.

CAMRYN TASTAD
Libero | Solana Beach, Calif. | Santa Fe Christian HS
The Ducks' third Under Armour first-team all-American commit, Tastad is a pure floor defender who will come in and compete for the Ducks' libero job with Alex Hojnar set to graduate this season. Tastad has racked up more than 1,000 career digs at Sante Fe Christian High School, while also starring as the libero for the Wave Volleyball Club. Small in stature at 5'3", Tastad will be an exciting player for the Ducks with the ability to help stabilize Oregon's back-row defense.