Earlier this week, I chatted with Pac-12 Network’s in-game volleyball analyst Al Scates, who’s also the winningest coach in the history of the NCAA. The former UCLA coach broke down Oregon’s upcoming match against Stanford, who to watch on either side of the court and what the No. 25 Ducks need to do to take down No. 7 Stanford.
No. 25 Oregon
(8-5, 2-2 Pac-12)
“Oregon, traditionally, is one of the best digging teams around,” Scates said.
Libero Amanda Benson and DS Chelsey Keoho, who put up 21 and 15 digs respectively against Utah last week, are Oregon’s key diggers. Benson led the Pac-12 in digs during the last week of September, but Scates thinks a win over Stanford will require even more of a defensive edge.
“They’re gonna have to dig a lot more balls than Stanford and take a lot more swings,” Scates said.
This match is going to come down to what Scates calls “points at the line,” meaning the team with the most kills is going to take the match. Although Oregon put up six aces against Utah and five over Oregon State, a strong front row offensive performance is what will win this Pac-12 matchup.
“As a coach I never looked at aces and errors,” Scates said. “I looked at scoring.”
Oregon’s key killers this year are senior Martenne Bettendorf and true-freshman Lindsey Vander Weide, who has proved herself not only as an outside, but also as a defender for the Ducks. Vander Weide totaled 16 digs in Oregon’s win over Colorado, in addition to 19 kills.
“She’s terrific,” Scates said. “She’s 6-foot-3 and she can pass. What a great recruit that one was.”
No. 7 Stanford
(8-4, 2-2 Pac-12)
“Stanford is so balanced,” Scates said.
This balance comes from two of Stanford’s stars, one with blocking ability and the other with a killer swing.
Stanford’s first threat is a redshirt sophomore Ivana Vanjak, who Scates considers a “player to watch” in this match. The outside hitter led her team last week with nine blocks against Arizona State.
Threat number two is another outsider hitter who adds some offensive ability to the team.
“You have this young phenom Hayley Hodson,” Scates said. “Every time there’s been a tough match for Stanford this year, she’s either led the team in kills or been very close.”
Hodson, a true freshman, also won a gold medal the while competing on the U.S. National Team at the 2015 Pan America Cup. Hodson has averaged 3.44 kills per set for the Cardinal.
The Cardinal also has the home court advantage in this case, which has served them well in the past few years. Stanford, having only lost two home matches in the last three years, has “the best home-court ranking in the Pac-12,” according to Scates.
For Scates, this win will come down to home-court advantage, but the match is still likely to be a fight to the end. Oregon and Stanford currently have matching Pac-12 records and both are coming off one-loss, one-win stretches.
“Oregon has a shot,” Scates said. “But I’m gonna pick Stanford for this one.”
Both team will play on Friday before playing each other on Sunday. Oregon takes on Cal in Berkeley, and Stanford has a home match against Oregon State. Tune in to the Oregon-Stanford match this Sunday at 5 p.m. on Pac-12 Network.
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