Head coach Matt Ulmer knew this team would be special. For a coach who doesn’t talk often about winning, he sure talked quite a bit about hosting a pair of games in the NCAA tournament.

Oregon did that this week, winning both games and punching its ticket to the Sweet 16.

The No. 2 seed Oregon Ducks (28-5, 16-4 Pac-12) came into its first round matchup against Southeastern Louisiana Lions (28-5, 17-1 Southland) riding a five game win streak. The Ducks lost just four sets in that stretch, dominating all aspects of the court. They would sweep Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (24-9, 14-4 Big West) the next day to extend the win streak and to continue dancing. 

From the start, it was clear Oregon carried this momentum into the tournament. All year long, Oregon’s talent has been on display — from experience in setter Hannah Pukis, to flare with booming Morgan Lewis kills — Ulmer’s Ducks seemingly possess no real weakness. 

A team plays fast? They negate it with positioning.

Fall behind by seven early in the victory over Hawaii? Oregon will counter to win in straight sets and win the match in a sweep. 

The key to the Ducks’ continued dominance over the last month has been figuring out ways to slow down the game, make the right passes and give their power hitters the best angle at a kill. They had a difficult time trying to find that rhythm early in the matches, but as the first set moved into the later stages, the rhythm started to form. 

“Everyone is just clicking right now,” Mimi Colyer said, “And it makes my job a lot easier and opens me up a lot more.”

Oregon would overcome its slow starts and win in commanding fashion. Although early errors proved the Ducks imperfect, Oregon would continue relatively unbothered. 

A rare blend of talent and maturity has Ulmer’s Ducks playing at the peak of their ability — at the best possible time. 

SLU got going during the first set behind some well placed kills and a few uncharacteristic Oregon errors. While it showed in certain moments early in the first set, the Ducks’ dominance was not extremely prominent.

Oregon rallies behind its strength at the net, so when Colyer and Lewis are hitting well, it’s much easier to start stringing together runs. The Ducks used that momentum to close out the first set on an 8-1 run, which propelled them to continued control of the match in the second set. 

When the Ducks were serving, it was a lot easier for them to control the pace of the match because the Lions had a very difficult time being able to receive the ball and control. This allowed the Oregon defense to set up in time to get blocks and throw the Lions off their rhythm. 

Every time Oregon found a way to string together two or three points, it turned into a long scoring run. This is what carried the Ducks to a dominant second set in which they won, 25-13. 

Because of their firm control of the game, the Ducks were able to work less offensively due to them always being able to make up for any mistake with their suffocating defense that finished with eight blocks. It was important to establish that presence in the first round of the tournament against a slightly weaker opponent due to their sustained offensive prowess during the season. 

Throughout each set, Oregon gained more and more control over the game and thoroughly dominated through the second and third sets. Defensively, the Ducks have been able to completely shut down any rhythm established by SLU and take the Lions out of the match entirely. 

“We’re a really good defensive team, and when our block trusts that and trusts the people behind us, we’re blocking a lot more balls, we’re digging more balls, and it helps everyone play their game a little bit better,” Colyer said. 

It was a dominant sweep highlighted by exceptional defense and confidence through the roof. The Ducks increased their win streak to six and carried major confidence going into their second round matchup against Hawaii. 

All options were open once again for the Ducks in their second match of the tournament, Oregon would not trail throughout the second and third sets. 

When asked if Oregon performed the way they expected, Hawaii head coach Robyn Ah Mow didn’t mince words. “I think everyone can answer that question,” Ah Mow said. “They obviously did.” 

With Oregon’s seven seniors playing in their last home game at Matthew Knight Arena, Ulmer’s squad sent them off in grand fashion. 

“I think as seniors, and as an old group, it’s really hitting us that every point matters,” libero Georgia Murphy said. “I think so many people are stepping up defensively and we’re hitting our stride at a really good time.” 

With six seniors rotating into play in the Duck’s victory, Ulmer’s squad’s veteran presence was seen throughout. 

“The love and respect we have for each other, again we’re not family, but we are as close to it as we can be,” Ulmer said. “I didn’t say much today, I just watched them, and it was really fun to see them grow up and do their thing.”

“I’m not afraid of anyone we play, it’s about how we show up on our side,” Pukis said after Oregon’s first win of the tournament. “No matter who we face, no matter who’s on the court, it’s all about how we show up today.”
Ulmer knew this team could be special, and now his Ducks will continue on to play Purdue next week in Wisconsin.