With two former varsity Oregon volleyball players serving as coaches for the men’s Club volleyball team, coordinator Kyle Sinner believes the two will be one of the main reasons the team will have a successful season.
“It’s so important that we have a strong coaching staff,” Sinner said. “The girls that we have are amazing because they work us to death and it is totally needed. They bring such a depth of knowledge to practice. It helps us feel like a real team.”
While the majority of club teams are coached by student participants, men’s volleyball players consider themselves lucky to have former setter Sydney Chute and defensive specialist Diana Blank as coaches.
“Having a coach-player relationship is important,” Sinner said. “It is just a lot different than having your own teammate coach you.”
With two stellar coaches, seven returning players and four rookies, including two exchange students, the men’s volleyball team will enter its first tournament in Walla Walla, Wash., this weekend. They will challenge such Northwest schools as Idaho State, Washington State and Pacific.
Although this weekend’s tournament is important, the team is preparing for back-to-back tournaments in California in February. The 18th Annual Collegiate Far Western Volleyball Invitational, held Feb. 14 and15 at UC Davis, will be the team’s first major tournament and will serve as their last chance to compete before attending the San Diego State University 2nd Annual SoCal Classic.
“This will be our first year going to the SoCal tournament, and all the big schools will be there, so we will be the little guys going in there to show them what’s up,” Sinner said.
The Ducks will begin spring term by hosting regionals at the University. Seven teams will compete on April 3 and 4 and will vie for a top ranking to take to nationals, which will be held in Charlotte, N.C.
“We are for sure looking to take the region,” Sinner said. “A top ranking is important if we want to place well at nationals.”
Sinner said the team’s goal is to finish in the top 10 at nationals, which would be a major improvement after placing 25th at last year’s tournament.
“I think we have a pretty good shot,” he said. “If we do these major tournaments at Davis and at San Diego, I think we will definitely have the confidence to get it done.”

Greek Weekend
Oregon ice hockey caps off the Annual I-5 Cup this weekend at Lane County Ice Arena. The I-5 Cup is awarded to the team — either Washington or Oregon — that has the best record after four games. The Ducks are down 2-0 after losing both games against the Huskies in Seattle. The Ducks will play Washington at 7:30 on both Friday and Saturday night.
The Ducks are also sponsoring Greek Weekend, an event in which University sororities and fraternities show their support for Oregon ice hockey. The greek house with the most members in attendance will receive $1 for every ticket sold on Jan. 16 and 17. The money will be donated to the charity of their choice.
Fourteen games in, Oregon is still searching for its first win of the season. After a weekend without games and an entire week of practice to prepare, the Ducks look to capitalize on their rested legs.