The Oregon volleyball team’s drive for an NCAA berth continues this week at McArthur Court.
Oregon is trying to revive the momentum it had going just two weeks ago. The Ducks pushed Washington to five games and headed to Arizona for a two-match road trip.
The same confident group disappeared in the Arizona desert. Arizona beat Oregon in five games and Arizona State took the Ducks in four. Oregon must now rediscover the way it played earlier this season and against a difficult schedule for any team.
No. 3 Stanford arrives Thursday night at 7 p.m. and No. 15 California visits at 5 p.m. Friday as part of a doubleheader with men’s basketball.
“We have to rebound in the way we play the game, that’s the biggest thing,” coach Jim Moore said. “Basically for no reason out of the clear blue sky we played not to lose and played conservatively rather than playing aggressively and it cost us.”
The weekend ushers in the final home matches for Oregon’s three seniors: Kristen Bitter, Heather Madison and Erin Little.
“I’m completely proud and honored to play in front of Mac Court one more time,” Bitter said. “I’m looking forward to it.”
The trio are tied together by a special bond. They hail back to the Carl Ferreira era, marked by losing and frustration. The second season under Moore is nearly over and Bitter isn’t quite ready to let go.
“Nope. I don’t I want it to hit me,” Bitter said. “I just want to enjoy every minute of it.”
The 6-foot-4-inch Bitter fills a large role and it shows in the Oregon statistics. She leads the Ducks with 13 solo blocks and is second on the team in block assists with 79.
“I love playing with these girls and for these coaches and in this place and couldn’t be feeling more blessed than I am,” Bitter said.
The final matches of the season in past years really meant just that – the season was ending. Oregon is in position to extend its season with a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
“I’m thrilled,” Bitter said. “This season has been wonderful and it’s only going to get better. I’m so excited for what the next few weeks bring. I’m excited to see where we can go (and) how far we can go.”
Bitter made sure Oregon was focused on a larger goal this season, Moore said.
“Kristen Bitter has done a tremendous job of making sure this team went in the direction that it went,” Moore said.
Madison had to share time at the setter position this year with freshmen Nevena Djordjevic and Lindsey Stone. Madison sits second to Djordjevic in setter assists with 480 to her understudy’s 580.
Little had a career year statistically with 266 kills – third on the team.
“The three of them, they deserve everything that has come their way this year, and I just hope it continues,” Moore said of the seniors.
Late arrival
Kristen Forristall participated in volleyball practice for the first time on Monday. On Tuesday, she stayed after practice and worked on blocking with Moore and Bitter.
Forristall, who left the women’s basketball team on Nov. 6, is listed as an outside hitter on the volleyball team’s roster.
“She’s a great athlete,” Moore said. “We know that and right now that’s the least of our concerns in terms of what we do, but it’s nice that we have that kind of an athlete that’s now on the other side that can do some things that make it very difficult for the starters.”
Forristall’s future with the team is uncertain.
“We’re going to have to see how that plays out and as she develops as a player,” Moore said. “We have to see what she can do and what she is capable of doing.”
The long goodbye
Daily Emerald
November 15, 2006
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