University of Oregon
Utah
Ducks Edged Out by Utes
10/31/15 | Women's Volleyball
SALT LAKE CITY – The Oregon volleyball team lost in four sets to Utah, Friday night, 25-23, 25-22, 20-25, 25-23.
How it Happened: Through stretches of the match the Ducks appeared to be the better team, backed up by the final box score where the Ducks (10-10, 4-7 Pac-12) finished with the edge in kills, digs and blocks. The Ducks also outhit the Utes .185 to .177, marking the first loss for the Ducks this season while finishing with a higher hitting percentage.
The first set saw swings by both teams but Utah surged at an opportune time late in the set to take a 24-21 advantage. Although the Ducks fought off two set points Utah finished on a kill from their offensive leader Adora Anae who ended the night with 20. The second Utah set win was tightly contested throughout, and with the score tied at 20-19, the Utes scored five of the final eight points to expand their lead heading into intermission.
There was a role reversal in the third set as Oregon ended the frame on a 5-1 run to win 25-20, thanks in part to six blocks from an stifling Oregon defense which recorded a season high 15 blocks on the night.
Martenne Bettendorf returned to her All-American form leading the team with 14 kills hitting .294 while freshman Lindsey Vander Weide recorded a double-double with 11 kills and 12 digs to go with seven blocks.
What it Means: The loss makes the Ducks' road to the NCAA Tournament a steep one, first venturing through the Rocky Mountains where Oregon will face a Colorado team which rallied to beat the Ducks in five sets earlier this season.
Friday's marked the second-straight match that all-five Oregon freshman have seen the floor, and while coach Moore would like his team to gain experience through winning, the future appears to be bright future for a young team competing night-in and night-out against Pac-12 teams.
Notes and Numbers: Oregon played a 6-2 formation for the first time this season as August Raskie and Maggie Scott alternated at setter…the Ducks' 15 blocks is the most this season and ties the total they recorded against Santa Clara in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last season…Haley McLaren finished with a career high six kills.
What's Next: There is no rest for the Ducks as Oregon will play Colorado, Saturday at 6 p.m. PT. The Buffs defeated Oregon State in five sets Friday night to move to 6-5 in conference play. The match will be streamed live HERE.
Players Mentioned
