Ducks’ Block Leads the Way at UCLA

Sunday, September 24

Los Angeles, CA

2:00 PM

University of Oregon

12-1,2-0Pac-12

UCLA

8-4,0-2Pac-12

Oregon

UCLA

Photo by: Molly McPherson

09/24/23 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Photo Gallery

No. 6 Oregon improved to 12-1 this season with Sunday's sweep in LA.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The No. 6 Oregon volleyball team had 13.0 total team blocks and posted its third-consecutive sweep Sunday, beating UCLA (25-14, 25-12, 25-18) to close out the opening week of Pac-12 play. The Ducks, now 12-1 this season, held the home team to a -.021 hitting percentage, a new season best for the UO defense.

Senior middle Karson Bacon had a season-high eight blocks to go along with six kills. Morgan Lewis set a career high with seven blocks while Kara McGhee was part of five blocks against the Bruins. Sunday was the fifth time this season for the Ducks to combine for 13.0 total team blocks.

Mimi Colyer and Gabby Gonzales also led Oregon with 12 kills and 16 digs, respectively. Libero Georgia Murphy added eight digs and three service aces in the sweep. The Ducks out-aced UCLA, 8-0. From her setter's position, Hannah Pukis registered 30 assists, 10 digs, four kills and two blocks. With two aces in Sunday's outing, freshman Kate Thibault has now had two aces in three of the last four matches.

How It Happened: Oregon jumped out to an early advantage, using an eight-point surge to lead 13-3 on a kill by Gonzales. Thibault had an ace and Bacon got in on two blocks during the run. The Ducks picked up 18 digs coupled with five blocks in the opening frame, including a solo stuff by Bacon on set point.

UCLA (8-4, 0-2) answered quickly to start the second, winning seven of the first 10 points to force head coach Matt Ulmer to use an early timeout. From the bench, the Ducks rattled off four in a row to tie the score and then extended the run of points to establish a 15-10 after a kill by Lewis. The lead grew to 23-11 after another eight-point push.

An error by the home team gifted the Ducks the second set and a 2-0 match advantage.

With an eye on a straight-set victory, Oregon sprinted out to an 8-3 lead and after back-to-back-to-back blocks—all including Bacon—UCLA used its first timeout. Consecutive kills by McGhee and Lewis pushed the lead to 18-9 and sent the teams to the bench for another Bruin timeout.

UCLA took advantage of some Oregon attack errors to pull to within three; UO leading 19-16. Freshman Noemie Glover ended the rally attempt with a kill and the Ducks finished the match on a 6-2 run. Bacon and Pukis teamed for a final block to set up match point and, on the ensuing play, Pukis won a joust for the match-clinching win.

Notable: The Ducks' 13.0 total team blocks ties a season high for a three-set match; also had 13 blocks against San Diego in the 2023 opener. Oregon's overall season high for blocks (14.0) came in a five-set win at Pitt.

Up Next: The Ducks are back home Friday to host Washington at 6 p.m. Season tickets, starting at just $54, are still available through the UO ticket office or by clicking HERE.

For more news and information about Oregon Volleyball, follow @OregonVB on Instagram and Twitter, and @OregonVolleyball on Facebook.