Coming off an upset of UCLA followed by a loss to Washington, the Oregon Ducks (14-13, 8-10) are preparing for their final two matches of the season this week.
First will be a battle against Arizona State, followed by a must-win game against Oregon State. Although the Beavers have had a tough season, (5-23, 3-15 Pac-12) Oregon can’t let its guard down. A win is virtually the Ducks’ only shot at making the NCAA tournament.
Pac-12 Networks volleyball analyst and former Olympian Dain Blanton has high hopes for the Ducks in their final match. Much of his confidence comes because of Oregon’s setter Maggie Scott.
“She’s only a sophomore, but she’s really tenacious — a real fighter and real competitor,” Blanton said. “And when you have that type of a player at the quarterback position, then it kind of translates and becomes contagious.”
Scott has been at the helm for Oregon most of this season, splitting time with August Raskie since the Ducks switched to a 6-2 offense. Scott was named Pac-12 All-Freshman honorable mention last year, and has proven her title throughout the season.
Martenne Bettendorf and Lindsey Vander Weide have also been strong forces for the Ducks this season. Each outside hitter scored more than 15 points for Oregon against Washington, and for Blanton, that roundness is a great advantage for Oregon.
“You have a lot of balance on that team,” Blanton said. “That’s what I like about them.”
Despite the advantage, Oregon will have to keep an eye on outside hitter Lanesha Reagan from Oregon State in the match on Saturday. The redshirt freshman scored her second double-double in three matches against Washington State last week, and her swing is hard to block.
The Beavers went on to lose the match in the fourth set to WSU, but with two hitters in double-digit kills, the Ducks will need to bring a strong defense to the Civil War matchup.
For this coming weekend, though, Blanton gives the advantage to the Ducks.
“Their record may not reflect it right now, but Oregon’s a lot stronger than it looks on paper.”
Looking forward in Oregon’s season, Blanton continues to have high hopes for the Ducks.
“I think they’re going to upset some people as they get into the tournament,” Blanton said.
But before the Ducks can make those upsets, they must get past the Sun Devils on Wednesday and the Beavers on Saturday. Both of Oregon’s final in-season matches will take place at Matthew Knight Arena.
Follow Madison Layton on Twitter @MadisonLayton01