The Oregon Ducks (15-7, 8-4 Pac-12) got revenge against the Arizona Wildcats (17-8, 6-6 Pac-12) in four sets (25-22, 25-22, 22-25, 25-17) Sunday, in Tucson, Arizona.
Oregon started the first set by jumping out to a quick 11-6 lead but a 5-0 run by Arizona would put them even with the Ducks at 11. The two teams traded points until Oregon was able to take set one.
Oregon and Arizona traded scoring runs in the set second but a strong block and hitting would notch Oregon a set two win. The Ducks would prove too much offensively as they would go on to win set four and the match.
The Ducks were led offensively by Lindsey Vander Weide, who had 17 kills on 40 takes with a .300 hitting percentage.
The Ducks also had a strong block that held Arizona’s main hitters under .171 hitting average. Oregon (13) doubled Arizona’s (6) block total. Vander Weide was a big part of that Oregon defense as she had four blocks and held one of Arizona’s top scorers, Candice Denny, to a .067 hitting percentage.
The Ducks came into this match going to five sets with the Wildcats in each of their last four meetings, but the Ducks put an end to that streak.
Oregon faced a different Arizona squad compared to the last five set thriller earlier this season as the Wildcats were without senior outside hitter Kendra Dahlke. Dahlke has played in all sets (73) and matches (20) this season. She leads the Pac-12 in kills per set (5.05) and kills (369).
The Ducks entered this weekend at full strength and get back two gut punching losses they suffered at the beginning of Pac-12 play earlier this season.
Oregon will head home this weekend to take on USC and No. 20 UCLA, both teams they swept earlier in the season.
Follow Gabriel on Twitter at @gabe_ornelas