Exactly one-half of the way through its Pacific-10 Conference season, the Oregon women’s volleyball team finds itself in a familiar position.
Just like last year at this time, the Ducks are 4-5 in conference and about to embark on a critical run of nine Pac-10 games that will determine their post-season fate.
Last season, Oregon went 5-4 to close the season, including a three-game winning streak that cemented an NCAA tournament appearance.
Though it’s impossible to know how many more wins it will take to make this year’s tournament, head coach Jim Moore hopes his team closes the season strong.
“I don’t know what (the number) is, I want to win enough to make sure we get into the NCAA tournament,” Moore said.
Ms. Consistency
If the Ducks are able to reach the NCAA Tournament, senior Heather Meyers will be a big reason why. During the Ducks’ up-and-down start to Pac-10 play, Meyers has been a model of consistency.
Meyers has hit at least .200 and tallied nine or more kills in each of the Ducks’ nine Pac-10 matches. She’s averaging 13 kills per game and a .320 hitting percentage during that stretch of time.
“Heather’s a special kid and she’s a special player,” Moore said. “She may be the most fun player I‘ve ever had to watch and her consistency has been wonderful this year. It’s just been a fun ride.”
Around the Pac-10
A pair of losses to USC and UCLA over the weekend dropped Oregon from No. 16 to No. 18 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association poll. Despite the losses, the Ducks were ranked in the top 25 for the 55th straight week — an impressive feat for any program. Before Moore took over as head volleyball coach in 2005, Oregon’s longest streak in the top 25 was 28 weeks, from 1986-88.
The Pac-10’s supremacy was also confirmed in the latest rankings. Seven Pac-10 teams rank among the top 25. Oregon’s next opponents — No. 3 Cal and No. 4 Stanford — are the two highest-ranking teams in the conference.
When the Cardinal and Bears visit McArthur Court this weekend, the Ducks will have to contend with five of the nine Pac-10 players of the week. Stanford’s Alix Klineman won the award three times, and Cal’s Tarah Murrey and Carli Lloyd each took home the hardware once. Alaina Bergsma, who won the award in late September, remains Oregon’s only honoree.
By the Numbers
As a team, Oregon finds itself in the middle of the Pac-10 in several major statistical categories. The Ducks are fourth in assists (13.22 per set), fourth in kills (14.14 per set) and fifth in hitting percentage (.276).
Oregon stands out from the pack with its serving. Buoyed by Meyers’ conference-leading 0.69 service aces per set, the Ducks rank first in the Pac-10 in that category. Katherine Fischer (third) and Jocelyn Levig (seventh) also rank highly in the conference.
Though serving has been a season-long strength for Oregon, blocking has plagued the Ducks all year. Oregon ranks ahead of only Washington State in the conference, despite the Ducks’ significant efforts to improve.
“We have to fix our blocking, our net defense,” Moore said. “We’ve spent more time (on blocking) than we normally have, especially now at this time of the year.”
Individual Standouts
Several other Oregon players rank highly in the Pac-10 in major statistical categories. Meyers is 10th in the conference in kills (3.67 per set), freshman setter Lauren Plum is third in assists (11.77 per set) and libero Haley Jacob is fifth in digs (4.04 per set).
Meyers is also fifth in the conference in total points, with 4.65 per set.
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