Volleyball

The 2001 season was just a tough campaign for Oregon volleyball.
While most of Oregon’s programs were enjoying what was proclaimed “The Year of the Duck,” head coach Carl Ferreira and the rest of the squad suffered through a winless Pacific-10 Conference season.
Nine non-conference victories softened that blow a bit, but the team was still the first in the program’s history to go winless in conference play.
However, Ferreira believes 2001 had somewhat of a silver lining.
“Last year, we really enhanced the roster for the athletes,” he said. “I think the athletes really felt very good about having their roster be better, and I think there is a sense this season of ‘We’ll just succeed because the roster is better.’”
Last season provided a “purge” of Oregon athletes who played under former head coach Cathy Snyder. Senior Sydney Chute remains as the only player to remain on the roster who arrived before Ferreira’s first season in 2000.
Nonetheless, most around the Pac-10 volleyball scene don’t predict Oregon to improve much this season. The Ducks were picked to finish last in the Pac-10 by a vote of the conference media.
While predictions don’t always come true, the Ducks will be a much different team. Oregon lost the team’s heart and soul in Monique Tobbagi but will enjoy the entrance of four freshmen, two of whom — Kelly Russell and Jodi Bell — were highly recruited while in high school.
“What Jodi has, you can’t teach,” Ferreira said. “She’s a winner and a playmaker. She’s always best when the game is on the line and in meaningful situations. She’s very talented. She will make an instant impact on the program.”
If the Ducks are looking to Bell and the freshmen to lead them to the promised land, Ferreira has a bit of caution for those expectations.
“We need everything around (Bell) to be very responsible in order to allow her to play to her strengths,” he said. “You can’t put pressure on freshmen, no matter who they are.”
Seniors Lindsay Closs and Heather Gilmore will head up the offense, and coupled with Chute, they hope to provide the leadership necessary for a successful program.
Sophomores Lauren Westendorf and Katie O’Neil progressed well last season in a tough environment. Both are expected to play important roles on the Ducks this season, with Westendorf attempting to become the offensive force vacated by Tobbagi, while O’Neil will fill the newly created “libero” defensive position.
“You can’t teach the tour of duty year one through the Pac-10,” Ferreira said. “(Westendorf and O’Neil) will be significantly better. Lauren, offensively, should help give us production at the right-side hitting position (that) we really didn’t have last year.
“Both Katie and Lauren will have huge roles for our success.”
For the second year in a row, the NCAA initiated a new rule. Where last season’s point-scoring change encouraged offense, the libero is there to help prevent it. Designated by a yellow jersey, the libero is a back row player that may not serve or attempt a block at the net. It is truly a defensive position.
“The libero will change the game more than the scoring system,” Ferreira said. “The libero will make the game play at a higher level.”
As of Sept. 7, Oregon’s new balanced attack proved wonders for the team’s record, going 6-2 against the likes of San Francisco, Cal State Northridge and Miami.
But until the Ducks get into the heart of the Pac-10 season, questions will remain.