Photo by: Samuel Marshall
November Begins With Ducks Hunting Home Court In Postseason
11/01/18 | Women's Volleyball, @GoDucksMoseley
The Oregon volleyball team hosts USC and UCLA this weekend, looking to kick off a stretch run the Ducks hope will end with the right to host NCAA Tournament play.
When the Oregon volleyball team headed down to Los Angeles the first week of October, the Ducks were at a crossroads.
Oregon had just been swept at home by Arizona and ASU. Up next were two nationally ranked opponents on the road. The Ducks had a decision to make about the direction this season was headed.
Their response was emphatic. The UO volleyball team swept then-No. 17 UCLA and then-No. 12 USC. In eight October matches beginning that weekend, Oregon went 6-2, its only losses at Utah while short-handed due to injuries, and to No. 2 Stanford.
"We've gotten our act together a little bit more, and we're starting to play more consistent," UO coach Matt Ulmer said.
This weekend, the Ducks (15-7, 8-4 Pac-12) welcome the Bruins and Women of Troy to Eugene, looking to kick off another month in successful fashion. No. 16 Oregon meets No. 15 USC in Matthew Knight Arena on Friday (8 p.m., Pac-12 Network) and No. 22 UCLA on Sunday (noon, Pac-12 Network).
This is the first of four November weekends in which Oregon will wrap up the regular season. Momentum is with the Ducks, and they want to keep it that way.
"Once you get to this part of the year, you see the light at the end of the tunnel," Ulmer said. "You see that playoffs are coming. We're starting to talk about that; we're trying to host, and all that stuff. So I think it really helps to refocus and get you going for what you're trying to accomplish here in the next few weeks."
This is one of two home weekends left on the regular-season schedule; Senior Night for the UO volleyball program is Nov. 16 against Colorado, two days after the Ducks host Utah. But as Ulmer noted, Oregon is playing with a goal of hosting postseason play in Matthew Knight Arena in late November and December.
The top 16 teams in the country will host early round play in the NCAA Tournament. Entering this weekend, Oregon is No. 18 in the NCAA's RPI calculations, knocking on the door of the right to host.
"We just want to keep playing a high level of volleyball, and get ready for the postseason," Ulmer said. "You've got two tournament teams coming in here. It'll give us a chance, if we pick up a couple of wins, to put us in a good position to host."
The Bruins and Women of Troy can play spoilers. Thursday's opponent, USC (16-7, 8-4), split with Cal and Stanford last week, while UCLA (11-8, 6-6) was swept by the Bay Area schools. Both remain ranked, and the Women of Troy are part of a three-way tie with Oregon and Washington State for second place in the Pac-12.
Oregon used its road sweep in Los Angeles to chart a new course for its season and begin a push to the postseason. UCLA and USC have a chance to turn the tables and get their own seasons back on track this weekend.
"That was a great weekend for us; big for the program," Ulmer said. "They definitely want to come beat us, there's no question. And we really want to beat them, too."
Ulmer said the Ducks held light practices this week, in a nod to staying fresh for the postseason. Taylor Borup is battling back from a lower leg injury, and Brooke Van Sickle is having her practice time monitored to account for the extra playing time she's received since Borup's injury.
Every decision at this point in the season is made with one eye on the NCAA Tournament.
"We just have to take care of ourselves, so we can be feeling really good," Ulmer said. "Because in a couple of weeks, it's go time."
Once "go time" begins, with the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the Ducks want to be playing at home. The Ducks can take a big step toward earning that right with wins over UCLA and USC this weekend.
Oregon had just been swept at home by Arizona and ASU. Up next were two nationally ranked opponents on the road. The Ducks had a decision to make about the direction this season was headed.
Their response was emphatic. The UO volleyball team swept then-No. 17 UCLA and then-No. 12 USC. In eight October matches beginning that weekend, Oregon went 6-2, its only losses at Utah while short-handed due to injuries, and to No. 2 Stanford.
"We've gotten our act together a little bit more, and we're starting to play more consistent," UO coach Matt Ulmer said.
This weekend, the Ducks (15-7, 8-4 Pac-12) welcome the Bruins and Women of Troy to Eugene, looking to kick off another month in successful fashion. No. 16 Oregon meets No. 15 USC in Matthew Knight Arena on Friday (8 p.m., Pac-12 Network) and No. 22 UCLA on Sunday (noon, Pac-12 Network).
This is the first of four November weekends in which Oregon will wrap up the regular season. Momentum is with the Ducks, and they want to keep it that way.
"Once you get to this part of the year, you see the light at the end of the tunnel," Ulmer said. "You see that playoffs are coming. We're starting to talk about that; we're trying to host, and all that stuff. So I think it really helps to refocus and get you going for what you're trying to accomplish here in the next few weeks."
This is one of two home weekends left on the regular-season schedule; Senior Night for the UO volleyball program is Nov. 16 against Colorado, two days after the Ducks host Utah. But as Ulmer noted, Oregon is playing with a goal of hosting postseason play in Matthew Knight Arena in late November and December.
The top 16 teams in the country will host early round play in the NCAA Tournament. Entering this weekend, Oregon is No. 18 in the NCAA's RPI calculations, knocking on the door of the right to host.
"We just want to keep playing a high level of volleyball, and get ready for the postseason," Ulmer said. "You've got two tournament teams coming in here. It'll give us a chance, if we pick up a couple of wins, to put us in a good position to host."
The Bruins and Women of Troy can play spoilers. Thursday's opponent, USC (16-7, 8-4), split with Cal and Stanford last week, while UCLA (11-8, 6-6) was swept by the Bay Area schools. Both remain ranked, and the Women of Troy are part of a three-way tie with Oregon and Washington State for second place in the Pac-12.
Oregon used its road sweep in Los Angeles to chart a new course for its season and begin a push to the postseason. UCLA and USC have a chance to turn the tables and get their own seasons back on track this weekend.
"That was a great weekend for us; big for the program," Ulmer said. "They definitely want to come beat us, there's no question. And we really want to beat them, too."
Ulmer said the Ducks held light practices this week, in a nod to staying fresh for the postseason. Taylor Borup is battling back from a lower leg injury, and Brooke Van Sickle is having her practice time monitored to account for the extra playing time she's received since Borup's injury.
Every decision at this point in the season is made with one eye on the NCAA Tournament.
"We just have to take care of ourselves, so we can be feeling really good," Ulmer said. "Because in a couple of weeks, it's go time."
Once "go time" begins, with the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the Ducks want to be playing at home. The Ducks can take a big step toward earning that right with wins over UCLA and USC this weekend.
Players Mentioned
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