Sunday, October 20
Eugene, OR
12:00 PM
University of Oregon
6-11, 2-6Pac-12
0
vs
3
USC
11-7, 5-3Pac-12
1
2
3
F
Southern California
25
25
25
3
Oregon
23
23
23
0
Photo by: Samuel Marshall
Ducks Fail To Capitalize In Loss
10/20/19 | Women's Volleyball
The Oregon volleyball team had a chance to build momentum after its win Friday, but USC swept the Ducks in three tight sets Sunday.
EUGENE, Ore. — With a chance to build some momentum after beating UCLA two days before, the Oregon volleyball team instead couldn't take advantage of its chance Sunday against Southern California and lost in three sets, 25-23, 25-23, 25-23, before 1,774 fans in Matthew Knight Arena.
Oregon led 22-19 in the first set and 23-22 in the second but failed to finish off the Women of Troy. The Ducks fell behind early in the third and fought back to a 17-17 tie before USC finished off the sweep.
"I think they kind of wanted it more than we did," UO coach Matt Ulmer said. "That's what it looked like. I saw them swinging much more aggressively than we did in the close moments. I thought we were cautious in every phase tonight, except for blocking. … We were just really timid."
How It Happened: The Ducks (6-11, 2-6 Pac-12) fell behind early in the opening set, and when Willow Johnson sent a kill wide of the line the Women of Troy led 10-5. But Ulmer challenged the call and it was reversed, allowing Oregon to grab momentum and fight into an 11-11 tie. Trailing 18-16, the Ducks got hot behind the serve of Ronika Stone and rallied to lead 20-18. But USC ripped off five straight points after trailing 22-19, and held off Oregon in the end.
USC (11-7, 5-3) led 7-4 in the second when Johnson recorded three straight kills to tie the set. Aces by Stone, Kylie Robinson, Brooke Nuneviller and Johnson kept Oregon alive in a back-and-forth set, although USC led 22-21 after winning a challenge let in the set. Stone tied it with a kill, and on the next point attempted a block, lost track of the ball, had it bounce off the top of her head and straight back up, keeping the point alive for Nuneviller to finish it off for a 23-22 Oregon lead. But USC scored three straight times to go up 2-0 in the match.
The third set was close throughout, but Oregon never led after 5-4. A block by USC transfer Abby Hansen tied it at 17-17, but yet again the Women of Troy held the Ducks at bay in the closing moments of the set.
"The plus for us is, we're playing a lot better," Ulmer said. "But this was a very disappointing outcome today, because that was a very winnable match."
Who Stood Out: Nuneviller continues to be a warrior while playing on an injured ankle, leading the Ducks with eight kills and 14 digs Sunday. Seniors Stone and Johnson combined for 13 kills on 47 swings, and afterward Ulmer said they have to find ways to produce more offense. Bacon and Taylor Williams had six kills each, continuing to look comfortable in the 6-2 rotation the Ducks have employed the last few matches. Elise Ferreira had 16 assists and 10 digs.
Up Next: The Ducks kick off a four-match road trip at Arizona State on Friday (7 p.m., Pac-12 Network).
Oregon led 22-19 in the first set and 23-22 in the second but failed to finish off the Women of Troy. The Ducks fell behind early in the third and fought back to a 17-17 tie before USC finished off the sweep.
"I think they kind of wanted it more than we did," UO coach Matt Ulmer said. "That's what it looked like. I saw them swinging much more aggressively than we did in the close moments. I thought we were cautious in every phase tonight, except for blocking. … We were just really timid."
How It Happened: The Ducks (6-11, 2-6 Pac-12) fell behind early in the opening set, and when Willow Johnson sent a kill wide of the line the Women of Troy led 10-5. But Ulmer challenged the call and it was reversed, allowing Oregon to grab momentum and fight into an 11-11 tie. Trailing 18-16, the Ducks got hot behind the serve of Ronika Stone and rallied to lead 20-18. But USC ripped off five straight points after trailing 22-19, and held off Oregon in the end.
USC (11-7, 5-3) led 7-4 in the second when Johnson recorded three straight kills to tie the set. Aces by Stone, Kylie Robinson, Brooke Nuneviller and Johnson kept Oregon alive in a back-and-forth set, although USC led 22-21 after winning a challenge let in the set. Stone tied it with a kill, and on the next point attempted a block, lost track of the ball, had it bounce off the top of her head and straight back up, keeping the point alive for Nuneviller to finish it off for a 23-22 Oregon lead. But USC scored three straight times to go up 2-0 in the match.
The third set was close throughout, but Oregon never led after 5-4. A block by USC transfer Abby Hansen tied it at 17-17, but yet again the Women of Troy held the Ducks at bay in the closing moments of the set.
"The plus for us is, we're playing a lot better," Ulmer said. "But this was a very disappointing outcome today, because that was a very winnable match."
Who Stood Out: Nuneviller continues to be a warrior while playing on an injured ankle, leading the Ducks with eight kills and 14 digs Sunday. Seniors Stone and Johnson combined for 13 kills on 47 swings, and afterward Ulmer said they have to find ways to produce more offense. Bacon and Taylor Williams had six kills each, continuing to look comfortable in the 6-2 rotation the Ducks have employed the last few matches. Elise Ferreira had 16 assists and 10 digs.
Up Next: The Ducks kick off a four-match road trip at Arizona State on Friday (7 p.m., Pac-12 Network).
Team Stats
USC
ORE
Kills
40
37
Errors
12
20
Attempts
113
125
Hitting %
.248
.136
Points
51.0
52.0
Assists
39
36
Aces
5
11
Blocks
6.0
4.0
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
8
Aces
2
Blocks
0
Kills
7
Aces
2
Blocks
2
Kills
6
Aces
3
Blocks
1
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Players Mentioned
S
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's VolleyballRS
/ Women's VolleyballOH/L
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballTrent Kersten | Postgame vs. Colorado State
Sunday, September 07
Trent Kersten & Kamden Mitchell | Postgame vs. Portland
Thursday, September 04
Trent Kersten | Season Preview
Tuesday, September 02
Alanah Clemente | Season Preview
Tuesday, September 02
