The Oregon volleyball team is in rare air this year.
Still undefeated and boasting a No. 2 ranking in the country for the first time in program history, the Ducks (13-0 overall, 4-0 Pac-12) continued their winning ways with two sweeps this weekend at Matthew Knight Arena.
On Friday night, Oregon beat Utah 25-16, 25-21, 25-22 in head coach Jim Moore’s 500th career win.@@http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPID=234&DB_OEM_ID=500&ATCLID=205701440@@
The Ducks easily claimed the first set, but struggled in the second as Utah’s defense quelled Oregon’s offensive attack. The Utes would build a 15-10 lead before the Ducks came from behind to take the second set as well.
“If you would have told me I have 499 wins after the victory at USC, I would have looked at you like you’re nuts,” Moore said. “It’s not the team in all of it, it’s not where we’re ranked. Those are special people. I get to go to work with them every day and that’s what makes it worthwhile. I say it all the time, but I have the best job in the world.”
The Utes (9-8, 0-4) struggled to contain senior outside hitter Alaina Bergsma, who was a major force in the game, tallying 15 kills. Fellow outside hitter Katherine Fischer contributed 10 kills of her own to go along with seven digs.
Oregon was back at it Saturday night, this time topping Colorado 25-11, 25-19, 25-16 to finish the weekend.
The Ducks jumped out to a 13-3 lead in the first set and never let Colorado within 10 points the rest of the set. The Buffaloes (11-4, 1-2) struggled to field the Ducks’ serves, and Oregon racked up a season-high eight aces, thanks in part to a season-high three from senior setter Lauren Plum and two from Fischer.
“We have a number of weapons, and if we can get them all on track, then we have a shot to be pretty good,” Moore said after the game. “We just have to keep everyone strong and healthy and go from there.”
The Ducks will look to remain perfect as they continue with a conference schedule that’s one of the toughest in the country.
“The Pac-12 is brutal,” Plum said. “It’s great that we have confidence now and I’m sure we will keep it going. There is always going to be ups and downs in a season but we’re just going to try to keep steady momentum.”
Oregon will be back at it Wednesday when they visit California in Berkeley before traveling to Palo Alto for a clash with No. 7 Stanford Friday.