University of Oregon
12-11, 6-8Pac-12
California
9-16, 3-11Pac-12
Ducks Overpower Cal in Sweep
11/09/15 | Women's Volleyball
EUGENE, Ore. – It was a total team effort from Oregon volleyball which defeated California in straight sets for the second time this season, getting six or more kills from five different hitters in the 25-23, 25-22, 25-19 victory, Sunday.
How it Happened: One of the storylines for the Ducks this season has been its inconsistency in closing out sets but the team was able to exorcise their demons with two close set wins to open the match on Sunday. After giving up two straight points to tie the first set at 23, the scenario looked all too familiar for Oregon. Head coach Jim Moore called timeout to regroup his team and the Ducks surged to the finish line with consecutive points from a Maggie Scott solo block and a kill from Frankie Shebby to win 25-23.
Similarly, in the second set, Oregon found itself with a one-point lead at 22-21 and looking to fend off an attacking California team which had scored two straight points. Oregon responded once again by scoring three of the final four points with the final two coming from the right hand of Shebby.
Shebby has seen an increased role since Oregon's move to the 6-2 system last week and was just one of Oregon's talented hitters to power the Ducks. Senior Martenne Bettendorf finished with 13 kills and no errors for a career best .591 hitting percentage. Freshman Lindsey Vander Weide paced the team with 15 kills on .394 hitting while Taylor Agost also reached double figures with 10 kills and an efficient .421 mark.
The Ducks were consistent throughout the match in their attack, finishing each set above .350 as a team and closing the match with a .372 hitting mark, second best this season behind the season opener against Temple (.394).
What it Means: As Moore noted in his post-match interview, the contest was certainly a must-win for Oregon to keep its postseason hopes alive. While Sunday's win may have been a matter of survival, upcoming matches against USC and Stanford will give Oregon another chance to boost their resume with marquee wins.
Notes and Numbers: Oregon now owns a five-match winning streak against California…the Ducks also played defense by committee with but were led by Amanda Benson who talked 16 digs.
Quoteworthy:
Senior outside hitter Martenne Bettendorf
"It was important. It shows that we can do it, and it shows that when we come into tight games like that, it shows we can pull out a win in tight situations, and that we don't have to be scared."
Head Coach Jim Moore
On finishing sets...
"We finished every set very well. Third set we could have finished better, but the first two I thought we finished very well."
On the hunt for the postseason...
"It was over if we didn't get this one. We had to have this one, and we have to keep winning. We have to go in and we have to be focused."
Up Next: Oregon will be on short rest heading to Los Angeles to face No. 2 USC (7:30 p.m.), Wednesday and No. 9 UCLA (8 p.m.), Thursday. Both matches will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks.
Team Stats
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