Ducks Win in Semis, Move On To Championship Meet
FAIRMONT, W. Va. – The No. 3 seed Ducks rose to the occasion for the second-straight meet and ended the semifinal meet with their highest score of the season, defeating No. 2 seed Hawai’i Pacific 283.495 – 281.325. Oregon will face the undefeated No. 1 seed Baylor in the championship meet tonight at 7 p.m. (ET) back at Joe Retton Arena.
Meet Breakdown: UO began the meet by making amends with their weakest event from yesterday and won the compulsory event 38.90 – 38.70. Thanks to a perfect 10 in the pyramid heat, the Ducks were able to earn their second-highest compulsory score of the year and take an early lead.
Hawai’i Pacific won the next two events, but only by a collective .7 margin. The Sharks edged Oregon 29.65 – 29.05 in acro, and then 29.75 – 29.65 in pyramid. Despite trailing at the half 98.10 – 97.60, UO refocused during the break and came out with their best toss event of the season.
Behind a 9.80, 9.70 and a 9.65, the Ducks won the toss 29.15 – 28.45 and reclaimed the lead 126.75 – 126.55.
The Ducks followed the toss with a strong tumbling performance, winning the fifth event 57.525 – 56.325. UO won five out of the six heats and earned season-high scores in the duo pass (9.70), trio pass (9.45), aerial pass (9.925) and the 6-element pass (9.95).
Entering the team event, Oregon led the Sharks by a little more than a point, 184.275 – 182.875.
The Ducks went first in the team event and left little doubt of the impending result. After UO threw a 99.22, Hawai’i Pacific was only able to come back with a 98.45, giving the Green and Yellow the 283.495 – 281.325 victory.
Other Semifinal: Baylor convincingly won the other semifinal over the No. 4 seed Azusa Pacific 287.915 – 280.430.
What’s On the Line: UO will be competing for their fifth-straight National Championship, and Baylor will be pursuing a perfect season (currently 11-0). The two NCATA heavyweights will meet tonight at 7 p.m. (ET) at Joe Retton Arena.
