University of Oregon
23-10
North Carolina
29-2
Ducks Season Ends in Regional Semis
12/13/14 | Women's Volleyball
MINNEAPOLIS – The Ducks' season ended at the hands of the North Carolina Tar Heels, Friday night as the Oregon volleyball team suffered a four-set defeat in the third round of the NCAA Tournament, 25-23,25-22, 23-25, 25-16.
How it Happened: The first three sets were about as evenly played as a match can be, with each team being tested by deficits, but both teams responding by pulling close.
Oregon (23-10) came out playing at a high tempo and finding the floor with power. The Ducks led 14-9 in the opening set but the Tar Heels used a crucial 5-0 run to pull even at 14-14. From then on, the two teams never strayed too far, but late back-to-back points gave UNC the edge in a 25-23 set.
Oregon trailed 15-10 in the second set but used a rally of its own to draw within a point at 16-15. The Ducks again had to fight back after the Tar Heels separated but the Ducks were edged by another slim margin at 25-22.
Oregon came out with a renewed energy in the third set thanks in part to freshman Taylor Agost who came off the bench to record three kills in her first three attack attempts. Despite finishing the set hitting .091, Oregon held UNC to .000 and went on to win 25-23.
“We fought hard, we passed, we played well in the first three sets,” said head coach Jim Moore. “We were outhitting them, statistically, in the first three sets – we kept trying to figure out how we were losing. Statistically we were in front after the first three, but it's not about the stats, it's about the points.”
The Tar Heels jumped on Oregon early in the fourth set, but the numbers told the story of how close the match was with Oregon leading in digs (60-58) and kills (56-55) but trailing slightly in hitting (.229-.205) and blocks (9.0-8.0).
What it Means: The season is another sign of Oregon's place among the elite, making the fourth regional appearance in eight seasons. With three freshmen and three sophomores playing a significant role in the NCAA tournament this season, the potential to grow is still abundant.
Emotions ran high in the postmatch press conference as senior Liz Brenner sat next to teammate Martenne Bettendorf and Moore after a storied four-year career. Moore was asked if he imagined the team making it this far in the tournament, to which he responded, “Yes...Because of the woman to my left (Brenner).”
Brenner finishes her career second in program history for points (1,775.5), third in kills (1,617) and 10th in digs (1,140).
“I loved my career at Oregon,” Brenner said. “I could not have asked for better coaches, team and staff. (The team) is going to do some big things the next few years, and I am really going to enjoy watching them.”
Notes and Numbers: Bettendorf continued her tear in the postseason leading the team with 16 kills and finishing with a .256 clip. Kacey Nady was the other Ducks in double digit kills with 12, hitting .429...Amanda Benson finished the season with 548 digs which ranks fourth in school history...Serena Warner (.363) and Nady (.339) finished fourth and sixth in school history for single-season hitting percentage.
