University of Oregon
16-4 (6-4)
Arizona State
15-6 (5-4)
Ducks Drop Five Setter to No. 18 Arizona State
10/25/14 | Women's Volleyball
EUGENE, Ore – The No. 11 Oregon volleyball team dropped a five-setter to No. 18 Arizona State, 19-25, 26-24, 20-25, 26-24, 15-9.
How it Happened: Despite two convincing wins by Oregon in sets one and three, Arizona State found a way to grind out sets two and four, winning 26-24 in each. In the fifth and deciding set, Oregon (16-4, 6-4) conceded six-straight points to go down 6-2, a deficit the Ducks would not be able to overcome.
The Ducks could not find their rhythm offensively throughout the match and the team that ranks 13th in the nation in hitting percentage was held to under .200 in each of the five sets, finishing at .137. Meanwhile the Ducks picked up the slack defensively, recording 88 digs, the most since Nov. 2, 2013 to go with 12 blocks, Oregon's highest total against a conference opponent this season.
What It Means: Oregon is now halfway through the Pac-12 season with a 6-4 record and despite the loss will enter the second half of the season, no worse than in a tie for fourth place. With the Oregon in solid position for yet another tournament bid, Coach Moore and the Ducks will be keeping an eye on the RPI numbers where they currently sit No. 7. That number will become more and more important as the season draws to a close, with teams vying for the 16 NCAA bids to host the first and second rounds.
Notes and Numbers: Liz Brenner tied a career high with 20 digs and recording her 14th double-double of the season…she also co-led the team with 17 kills…Amanda Benson set a season high 23 digs…Shellsy Ashen tallied her first double-double of the season with 26 assists and 10 digs.
Next Up: The Ducks will stay in Eugene to host the Bay Area schools. Oregon will start with California, Friday Oct. 31 at 8 p.m. followed by Stanford, Sunday, Nov. 2 at 11 a.m. Both matches will be on the Pac-12 Networks.
