By the time the match ended, emotions were in full force as senior Kelly Russell reflected on her completed Oregon career. The Oregon program made progress in 2005, but as shown Saturday night against Arizona State, the Ducks have a long way to go.
“I wanted the program to change,” Russell said. “But I got to play in the best conference in the nation, and I held my own and made the top five (in kills) at Oregon. That is something to be proud of.”
Losing the match in four games one night after extending No. 6 Arizona to four games overshadowed the final appearances for Russell, Jaclyn Jones and Kim McNally in an Oregon uniform.
Any momentum leading into the match seemed to disappear in the senior presentation beforehand. Oregon (12-18 overall, 1-17 Pacific-10 Conference) appeared lifeless in losing the first two games. Energy finally rose with five consecutive points for a 28-26 Oregon lead and eventual game-three win on an Erin Little kill.
“I didn’t want to stop playing,” Russell said.
Oregon traded points with Arizona State (8-20, 3-15) in game four. Arizona State led 18-17, extended it to 24-18 and survived three consecutive Oregon points to win the match when the Sun Devils’ final kill glanced off Russell’s hands.
Russell, libero Katie Swoboda and Mira Djuric all finished with individual accomplishments in the loss.
With a team-high 15 kills, Russell moved to fifth on Oregon’s career list with 1,283. Swoboda finished in second place for single season digs with a season-high 33 and completed the season with 448. Djuric tied for fourth on Oregon’s single season list for service aces at 59 with one Saturday.
Swoboda, along with Djuric, Kristen Bitter and Heather Madison join a strong returning cast for next season. Djuric and Bitter posted 12 kills each. Madison had 11 digs and 30 assists.
The Arizona State match followed a strong performance against Arizona (22-5, 14-4) with Oregon pushing the Wildcats to four games. Oregon took game three 31-29 and nearly forced game five, losing game four 30-26. Swoboda had 15 digs and four service aces. Djuric slammed 16 kills as Russell had 14 and Jones 13.
“You got to start somewhere, and we’re building our program, and I think this is a great start for us,” Swoboda said. “We’ll only get better in the following years.”
The season’s end marked mixed feelings for Oregon coach Jim Moore. Ready and eager to start work on next season, he also acknowledged he needs a break after a difficult season and lengthy travel schedule since becoming coach in January.
“Sometimes you have to adapt,” Moore said. “I will go in with the same philosophy and the same way, but I’m going to have to really change things if we start down the same path.”
The success Oregon had in non-conference play, 10-1, disappeared with two sweeps on Oregon’s opening road trip to ASU and Arizona. Where Moore said he initially thought six to nine wins were possible, chances disappeared with Jones’ leg injury and the team’s lost confidence.
Oregon started matches slowly at times, but at other times, pushed elite competition.
“We’ve gotten farther along, and we did improve from what we’ve done; it’s just obviously not where I’d like to see us,” Moore said.
Next season comes with returnees and a strong incoming freshman class. Bitter, whom Moore considers Oregon’s most improved player, showed she can play with the best in the Pac-10. Swoboda emerged at the libero position and Djuric played well in a new position, Moore said.
Oregon’s progress, McNally said, is seen in Oregon pushing USC (four games), UCLA (five) and Oregon State (five), and beating Washington State.
“We’re not winning necessarily, but we are taking teams to five games, and we haven’t even done that in a long time,” she said.

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