University of Oregon
11-0
Oregon State
10-2
Ducks Open Conference with Civil War Win
09/25/14 | Women's Volleyball
EUGENE, Ore. – The University of Oregon volleyball team improved to 11-0, Wednesday with a three set win over in-state rival Oregon State 25-22, 27-25, 25-19. The win was number 197 for head coach Jim Moore, making him the all-time winningest coach in Oregon volleyball history.
How it Happened: The Ducks (11-0, 1-0 Pac-12) led wire-to-wire in the first set but were thoroughly tested in the second set. The Ducks trailed by one or two points for a majority of the second frame and could not find a way to pick up momentum until a 4-0 run put Oregon up late, 24-22. The Beavers (10-2, 0-1) would not go quietly and responded with two points of their own. But with a loud Matthew Knight Arena crowd behind them, the Ducks were able to prevail with late kills from Frankie Shebby and Liz Brenner.
After an emotional end to the second set, the momentum was in favor of the Oregon coming out of the break and the Ducks finished with a more comfortable third-set win, 25-19.
What it Means: Brenner, who has a more subtle role statistically for Oregon this season due to a change in the Ducks' scheme, once again proved how vital she is in big moments.
While Oregon trailed through most of the second set and was attempting to claw its way to a lead, or at times just to hang on, Brenner was the anchor both offensively and defensively. After putting up four kills and one dig in the first set, the All-American recorded seven kills and 10 digs in the second set.
Reminiscent of the match at Hawaii, Brenner showed one again that she is up to the challenge.
Notes and Numbers: Martenne Bettendorf led the team with 15 kills…Liz Brenner (14) and Frankie Shebby (13) were also in double figures…Amanda Benson led the team with 17 digs…Maggie Scott finished with 33 assists…Oregon outdug Oregon State 63-40…The Ducks finished above their season average, hitting .301 while holding OSU to .195, more than 80 points below its average.
Up Next: Oregon will take on Colorado, Saturday at 7 p.m.
