For the Oregon volleyball squad, there’s only one way to go: Up.
Following a dismal 7-20 1999-00 season — in which the team won only one of 18 Pacific-10 Conference matches — the Ducks have a new head coach in Carl Ferreira, a new style and most importantly, a new attitude.
Ferreira comes to Eugene with lofty expectations: Become one of the top 20 teams in the nation and make it to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1989.
“We need to have a common vision,” said Ferreira, who compiled a 148-56 coaching record in six years at Cal-State Bakersfield and Idaho. “We need to prepare 30 times and give the same effort and the same intensity each game.”
While Ferreira has high hopes of rejuvenating his newly-inherited program, his visions will not come easy in the country’s toughest conference, which had four teams finish in the nation’s top-20 last year.
“It’s simple to be optimistic in August, but competition reveals character and exposes what you’re made of,” said Ferreira, who began the season with four straight wins in leading the Ducks to a championship trophy at the USTA/Hampton Inn Tournament in San Antonio on Sept. 2. “I feel good about heading into the season. I have a lot of confidence in what we do.”
Much of the team success this year will depend on the health of its four upperclassmen, particularly junior Monique Tobbagi. The 6-foot outside hitter, who led the 1999 squad in kills per game and service aces, was sidelined for part of last season with a nagging foot injury and missed one match in the San Antonio tournament this month due to a concussion.
“There’s definitely going to be a change,” Tobbagi said. “We’re putting the past behind us. There’s a new face to Oregon volleyball and we’re going to make it happen this year.”
Along with Tobbagi, senior outside hitter Amy Banducci, senior middle blocker Halie Mazza and junior setter Julie Gerlach will anchor the squad in its quest for an NCAA tournament berth.
“We need them to really buy into what we’re doing and provide direction for the new players,” Ferreira said of implementing his system. “They’re doing great so far. I’m really happy with them.”
One major disadvantage that Oregon faced last year was a lack of size at the net. In Amanda Porter, a 6-foot-2 middle blocker, the Ducks may have found the height they desperately needed. The Idaho transfer, who played for Ferreira last year, will be a key contributor off the bench.
Porter said the team is gaining confidence as it gets more acquainted with Ferreira’s method.
“The system is so competitive,” she said. “Competing is the main thing. Everyone is like, ‘We’re going to win,’ and I love hearing that, especially since I already know the system and now people are believing in it just like I do. It’s awesome.”
Ferreira designed his system around the Ducks’ strength: Quickness at the setting positions. Gerlach — who ranks fifth on the Ducks all-time assist list with 1,941 — and sophomore Sydney Chute (who averaged more than 8 assists per game last season) will have crucial roles offensively this year. Unlike last season, the tandem will find themselves together on the floor, sharing the responsibility of assisting their teammates.
“We need to utilize the setting position as an offensive threat and move the ball quickly,” Ferreira said. “That’s going to be our edge.”
Depth will also be a factor in Ferreira’s scheme this season. With five freshmen, including 6-foot-3 middle blocker Alisa Nelson, the first-year coach will certainly be juggling the bench to find the best combinations.
Sophomores Kristin Ferris and Mara Kelly are the returning defensive specialists, while freshmen Diana Blank and Jessica Scott look to provide a secondary boost.
“Our foundation is solid and we want to be progressive,” Ferreira said. “We may have bumps in the road, but our focus is to stay one-minded. It’s not you versus me. It’s us versus them.”