The lights at Matthew Knight Arena dim and one by one Oregon volleyball’s starters take the court as their names are announced. All six have talent, but this year, the team’s offensive leaders are a new face and a seasoned veteran.
Senior Martenne Bettendorf and freshman Lindsey Vander Weide have been vital to the Ducks this year, based not just on their offensive force as outside hitters but also on their abilities as defenders.
Each put up double digit kills in Oregon’s match against Cal on Oct. 9, leading the Ducks to the sweep. Bettendorf added 12 digs for the Ducks while Vander Weide supplied eight to Oregon’s 44 dig total.
“Those are our two best offensive weapons right now,” head coach Jim Moore said of the hitters.
But being key players for their team is nothing new to either athlete.
Bettendorf’s career at Oregon began in 2012 when the Portland-native earned the second place rank for freshmen in hitting, kills per set and blocking in the Pac-12. She recorded a season high in kills with 10 and held a .312 hitting average.
Vander Weide is leading Oregon in kills with 209. She has also added 92 digs for the Ducks, averaging 3.83 points per set.
“We knew Lindsey was going to be very, very good and as a freshman,” Moore said. “She’s awesome.”
Back in high school, both players were key offensive components for their schools. Vander Weide was chosen as an Under Armour Third Team All-American selection. Bettendorf was voted the 6A state player of the year during her senior year of high school.
Fast forward to today, and the outsides are still putting up big points each match, but now those points are for the Ducks.
Bettendorf totals 202 kills for Oregon so far this year, averaging 4.03 points per set. In the Duck’s match against Stanford, Bettendorf totaled 13. Five points in four sets. Vander Weide made her mark on the match with 17 kills for Oregon after totaling 13 kills two nights prior in Oregon’s sweep of Cal.
While there is always a rivalry to lead the team in points, Coach Moore has found that older team members have taken the new-comers under their wing, making them feel welcome.
“The one thing that I think everyone is working on is taking care of Linds and all of the freshmen,” Moore said.
While Bettendorf has done her part in mentoring newer players, she takes the role of a quiet leader on the court, allowing Oregon libero Amanda Benson to pick up digs and relying on setter Maggie Scott to make the assist.
“I don’t think I need to step into any other role other than the one I’m in right now,” Bettendorf said. “As long as I just keep being me, I think other people take care of themselves.”
“Martenne is a great role model,” Moore said.
The next chance to see the two team scoring leaders take the court at Matthew Knight will come on Oct. 23 at 6 p.m. for a Pac-12 match up against UCLA followed by a Sunday match against USC.
After Oregon’s last home match, Vander Weide described the mindset needed for the Ducks to get the win. It’s the same philosophy Oregon wants to bring to its home matches next week.
“Ready to go. Ready to play. Ready to win.”