Throughout the first half of the season, the Oregon volleyball team’s 4-2 Flex offensive scheme proved to be a pesky tactic to defend for the Ducks’ opponents.
In fact, prior to the Sept. 30 match at USC, the No. 1 ranked Trojans changed their entire defense to counter the Ducks’ quick attack.
“The system is awesome; it causes so much trouble,” senior outside hitter Amy Banducci said. “It’s a huge compliment to us when the other team changes their entire defense to stop our offense.”
Despite the problems it causes for opponents, head coach Carl Ferreira and the Ducks (7-8 overall, 0- 7 Pacific-10) have yet to pick up a conference victory with it. Thus, the first-year coach is looking in another direction — sort of.
Instead of starting matches with the two-setter offense, Ferreira said he plans to start freshman Alisha Stevens, a 6-foot-2-inch outside hitter, to add some physicality to the lineup. Then, after the match begins, Ferreira said he will substitute junior Julie Gerlach in and go back to the two-setter system.
“We’re going to make sure we give both formations equal opportunities,” Ferreira said. “We’ve always had the flexibility to do both.”

A real killer
Outside hitter Monique Tobbagi’s team-leading 3.65 kills per game is seventh best in the Pac-10. The 6-foot junior from San Jose, Calif., has recorded double-digit kills in nine matches this year and has hit better than .400 in three of the last five matches.
At times, however, the right arm of Tobbagi has proved to be somewhat inconsistent. Against Arizona State last Friday, Tobbagi had her worst performance of the season, posting a minus-.167 attack percentage on just five kills and 10 errors. The next night, though, she stepped up to tally 12 kills and a .421 hit percentage.

Freshmen phenoms
Four of Oregon’s five freshmen have received playing time this season. Outside hitter Lindsay Murphy has started all of the Ducks’ Pac-10 matches and is fourth on the team in digs. In high school, the native of Spokane, Wash., led her team to the state championship and was named the area’s female athlete of the year.Stevens got her first collegiate start against No. 5 Arizona last Saturday. She recorded six kills and hit .250 in that match. The previous night, Stevens led the Ducks off the bench with a phenomenal .615 attack percentage, nine kills and four blocks.
“Alisha has come a long way this year, and she’s just now getting the opportunity to play,” Ferreira said. “She’s going to be a very talented player.”

A Pac-10 thriller
Although it’s only halfway through league play, the Pac-10 championship may be decided this Friday in Arizona. No.1 USC (13-0, 7-0) puts its undefeated mark on the line against No. 5 Arizona (14-1,7-0). The Wildcats have not lost since the first match of the season.
“I don’t like USC,” Arizona’s Allison Napier told The Arizona Daily Wildcat. “To me, it seems they haven’t earned the respect that they have been given. I think that some teams like USC are put up there on this pedestal where they don’t belong.”