The No. 5 Oregon volleyball team started off their 2012 NCAA tournament run in impressive fashion, defeating the Northern Colorado Bears 3-0 in straight sets to advance to the round of 32. Once again, Alaina Bergsma led the Ducks with 15 kills and Lauren Plum tallied 40 assists in the straight set victory.
In a change from their normal first set behavior as of late, Jim Moore’s squad came out looking crisp and was able to jump out to an early 6-3 lead over Northern Colorado.
As the set progressed, the Bears were able to hang around and eventually tied the first frame at 10. However, after a slew of unforced errors by Northern Colorado the Ducks once again found themselves leading 14-11.
The Oregon offensive barrage was too much for the Bears to handle and a Liz Brenner shot which dropped right in front of the Northern Colorado front line secured a first set victory for the Ducks 25-15.
As the second set began, the Ducks showed no sign of slowing their attack on Northern Colorado and once again jumped out to an early 6-2 lead. After an unforced attack error that gave Oregon a comfortable 8-3 lead and with her team looking uncomfortable and out of sorts, Oates once again called for time.
Through the progression of the set Northern Colorado was able to hang around, clawing to within a single point at one juncture but the Ducks went on a run and halfway through the second had a 15-9 advantage over the Bears.
Turning point. Oregon was able to maintain a comfortable lead over Northern Colorado through the latter portion of the set and a Brianna Strong attack that went long gave the Ducks a 25-19 second set victory and a comfortable 2-0 lead.
With only a single set separating them from an NCAA tournament victory, Alaina Bergsma and company came out in the third looking sharp and once again jumped on the Bears of Northern Colorado leading 8-4 early before Oates called timeout.
Throughout the middle portion of the set Oregon remained in control but was unable to gain too much separation from Northern Colorado and halfway through the frame only led 14-11.
Another offensive spurt by the Ducks gave them a 19-13 third set lead, and seeing her team on the brink of going home in straight sets Oates stopped play in order to inspire her team.
In the end though, Northern Colorado was no match for the Ducks and a Haley Jacob ace gave Oregon a 25-18 third set victory and a win in straight sets.
On the horizon. Up next for the Ducks will be a showdown with the Dayton Flyers in the round of 32 tomorrow night. The Flyers defeated Pepperdine University in a 5 set thriller in the first match of the night after initially falling behind 2 games to none. The game will start at 8 p.m. at Matthew Knight Arena.