For the 58th straight week, the Oregon women’s volleyball team earned a spot in the top-25 national rankings. After a 3-1 win over Oregon State in Corvallis last Friday, the Ducks held steady at No. 23 in this week’s American Volleyball Coaches’ Association poll.
The Pac-10 continues to be the most highly-touted conference in the country, as seven of the conference teams earned spots in the top-25. Stanford checked in at No. 2, Cal No. 4, USC No. 6, UCLA No. 10, Washington No. 11 and Arizona No. 22.
Now, Oregon prepares for the stretch run that will determine whether they will earn a berth into the NCAA tournament.
The Ducks host highly ranked UCLA and USC this weekend then head north to conclude the 2010 regular season with matches at Washington and Washington State.
While the main focus of the team is on finishing strong, there are alternative story lines worth following.
With the new Matthew Knight Arena scheduled to open in a few months, this weekend’s series against UCLA and USC marks the last time the volleyball team will ever play in McArthur Court.
“It does mean a lot,” Oregon coach Jim Moore said of playing the last volleyball match at Mac Court. “I don’t know how to put it into words, but it’s real special. It will be hard to leave it. I love playing matches in here, it’s just great.”
For senior Heather Meyers, this weekend marks the last time she will ever suit up in a home Oregon uniform. The lone upperclassman in Oregon’s playing rotation, Meyers has had a senior year to remember.
She ranks sixth in the Pac-10 in points and first in service aces. Meyers leads Oregon in kills, hitting percentage (among players that have participated in at least half of Oregon’s sets played), and points by a wide margin. More importantly, she has put a young team on her shoulders and carried them into post-season contention.
“It’s been a great year,” Moore said. “Right now, she’s literally carrying us. Her play this year has been the best that its been since she’s been here and I think she’s just getting better as it goes on.”
Meyers admits she will have to combat strong emotions when she steps onto the floor Saturday for the final time in Eugene.
“I’m just trying to think of it as another game,” Meyers said. “I think when they start announcing my name for senior night, it will hit me. But I’m trying to keep that out of the way right now and focus on the game.”
At the same time Meyers winds down her Oregon career, several high school seniors are pondering the start of theirs.
Last Wednesday, the Oregon women’s volleyball team signed a three-woman 2011 recruiting class. While it would be impossible for any one freshman to fully replicate Meyers’ contributions, Moore is excited about the potential of the trio.
“This is probably the best recruiting class I’ve ever had, and that includes the class (of Sonja Newcombe, Neticia Enesi, and Nevena Djordevic that signed in 2006),” Moore said. “At least coming out (of high school) they’re certainly more highly recruited.”
The Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year as a high school junior, Elizabeth Brenner will start her career as a passer/hitter. An elite all-around athlete, Brenner is expected to bring a dynamic offensive game to Eugene.
“She has fabulous ball control and she’s probably the best all-around athlete I’ve ever recruited,” Moore said of Brenner.
Chloe Buckendahl, an outside hitter from Rancho Buena High School in Vista, Calif., led the San Diego area in hitting percentage (.508) last year, and has racked up 1,472 career kills.
“She’s a solid all-around player (with) big jump, actually a lot like Heather (Meyers),” Moore said. “Chloe’s going to be good. She will have an impact.”
The third member of Oregon’s touted class is Savannah Paffen. Like the other two, Paffen is expected to compete for early playing time.
“(She could) have a lot of minutes right from the beginning,” Moore said. “She’s a smooth player, not incredibly dynamic, but technically very sound and very smooth, and we need that. We need somebody who’s kind of a calming influence.”
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