With an 8-11 overall record and 0-9 record in Pacific-10 Conference play, Oregon volleyball flat-out needs a win. The Ducks have gone 10 games in a row without notching a victory and have yet to take a conference foe further than four games.
Enter Gonzaga, a team in seemingly the same shoes as the Ducks, but with one major difference — the Bulldogs have won in conference play, albeit in the weaker West Coast Conference. The Zags (6-11, 3-4) defeated Portland last week to end their first-half on a high note.
That reason alone makes the Ducks’ mission a little bit tougher, but it’s a task they’re going to fight for.
“We’ve got to do anything we can to be successful,” Oregon head coach Carl Ferreira said. “That’s the bottom line. We want to succeed.”
By Ferreira’s definition, the Oregon women have not succeeded since Sept. 8, when they defeated Boise State for their last win. However, in a season of losses, there has been some success.
The Ducks have by no means been the talk of the Pac-10, but they have some very serious talent. Juniors Lindsay Closs and Stephanie Martin go to Spokane, Wash., to take on the Zags after terrorizing their conference opponents. Senior Monique Tobbagi hopes to return to her early season form against Gonzaga, which is the first match of the second-half for the young squad.
“It’s going to be a good second-half,” Tobbagi said. “We’ve been working really hard and we’re just on a roll right now.”
Gonzaga, having played only Washington State from the Pac-10, is a virtual unknown to the Ducks. The Ducks will exchange game tapes with the Zags, although they are not required to do so in a non-conference match. But preparation for the match will still be tough.
“When you play a non-conference opponent at mid-season, you don’t know as much about them,” Ferreira said. “We do tape exchange with them, but you’re in such a rhythm, separation-wise, to understand scouting reports, and then to apply (what you’ve learned).”
The Ducks are 6-2 all-time against Gonzaga, but have lost two of their last three matches to the Zags.
Westendorf movin’ on up
In the last two matches, freshman Lauren Westendorf has become a presence for the Ducks, paving the way for what should be an impressive Oregon career.
“Lauren is a fast player, plays with a lot of emotion and has a lot of speed,” Ferreira said about one of the team’s youngest players. “She’s done a spectacular job in her growth and development.”
Listed as a setter in the Oregon media guide, Westendorf has spent the majority of her time this season on the outside, which is perfectly fine with her. In fact, she had never even played the setter position until she was trained to do so this season with the Ducks.
“I love hitting,” she said. “Hitting has been my forte all the way. I’m very comfortable on the right side.”
After posting six kills last weekend, including five against Arizona, Westendorf has 19 kills on the season in limited duty, but is beginning to work her way into the lineup. She started against Arizona, and doesn’t look to give up the spot anytime soon.
“It feels great,” she said about her increased playing time. “Just being on the court with everyone and being a part of it is an amazing feeling, and I’m really stoked to be here right now.”
Closs and Murphy go home
Closs and sophomore Lindsay Murphy return to their hometown when the Ducks travel to Spokane to battle the Zags. Closs starred at West Valley High, earning all-state accolades before playing at Fresno State the last two seasons.
Murphy, on the other hand, rivaled Closs’ senior season with a great one of her own. While earning first-team all-Greater Spokane League honors her senior season, Murphy captained Mead High to the state championship.
The two look to relive old memories and add some new ones when they battle Gonzaga tonight.
