Oregon volleyball is back to No. 3 in the nation this week, using its win over previously unbeaten Washington to inch up three spots from No. 5 in the AVCA Coaches poll released Monday.
And yet, even with the effort, the Ducks (16-1) still play second (third?) fiddle in the national rankings to No. 2 Stanford.
The Cardinal (16-2) stretched their win streak to thirteen straight with home wins over Oregon, Oregon State, USC and UCLA over the past month.
Both Oregon and Stanford sit behind No. 1 Penn State (18-1) for the second straight week, but overall, the Pac-12 continues its national dominance. After No. 4 Nebraska sits Washington, No. 6 UCLA and No. 7 USC. Oregon State also received votes but missed the Top 25. Stanford now takes to the road to play the No. 5 Huskies (16-1).
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Meanwhile, senior outside hitter Alaina Bergsma picked up an honor of her own Monday.
Miss Oregon USA took her second career Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year award this week after leading the Ducks to wins over both Washington schools.
Currently, Bergsma leads the team in kills (4.3 kps), aces (0.26 aps) and points (5.18 pps).
Senior libero Haley Jacob earned a nomination for conference Defensive Player of the Week, while middle blocker Canace Finley was considered for conference Freshman Player of the Week.
Oregon faces Arizona in Tucson, Ariz., on Friday.