The Oregon volleyball team lost more than just a pair of matches during last weekend’s trip to Washington.
Sophomore setter Jodi Bell tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee during Saturday’s loss to Washington. Bell jumped to attack the ball during the second game of the match and hit into a Husky block. She fell to the ground after landing awkwardly on her right leg while the ball was flying back at her.
Bell said the pain she felt subsided quickly.
“It was kind of like a burning pain at first,” Bell said. “Then I tried to get up and walk, and I couldn’t walk so they carried me off the floor. It didn’t feel like anything was supporting my knee. It felt very unbalanced.
“Then, probably five minutes later, I thought I was OK because it didn’t hurt at all”
Bell was soon informed of the bad news after having her knee examined.
Oregon athletic trainer Stephanie Brooks “and the (Washington) doctor told me I most likely tore my ACL,” Bell said. “I just started balling.”
Bell had an MRI done Monday and will be sidelined for the remainder of the season. Oregon head coach Carl Ferreira told the Emerald on Sunday that Bell will “definitely be ready for next season.”
The loss of Bell and her 732 assists will be a big one for Oregon. Fortunately for the Ducks, they have a capable replacement who can step in.
Freshman setter Heather Madison will run the Oregon attack during the Ducks’ final four matches. Madison, an All-American during her senior season at Gresham High School, has dished out 112 assists while seeing action in 56 of Oregon’s 78 games this season.
“I think it’s some adversity that we’re going to have to deal with,” freshman middle blocker Kristen Bitter said. “Jodi was an amazing asset to our team. We’re going to miss her, but I feel confident in Maddie’s abilities.”
Madison said she welcomes the opportunity to play but never wanted it to come like this.
“It’s hard to see Jodi go down,” Madison said. “I’ve learned a lot from her this season. I’m excited for the opportunity, but I have some big shoes to fill.”
Madison will have three days of practice with Oregon’s first team before Thursday’s match against Arizona. In that time frame, the Ducks will need to develop an on-court chemistry with Madison if the offense has any chance of being successful.
“We all knew the sensitive situation of Heather really wanting to do well and us really needing to accept her and make her feel like she’s a good part of this team,” sophomore middle blocker Kelly Russell said. “She’s someone who can accomplish everything that Jodi did.”
Oregon (3-20 overall, 0-14 Pacific-10 Conference) is entering its final homestand of the year, with Thursday’s match against the Wildcats and a Friday showdown with Arizona State. The Ducks will need to step up in order to help Madison with the transition from reserve to starter if they want to win their first home match of the season.
Arizona (12-13, 6-8) will enter McArthur Court as the No. 28 team in the country and one that defeated Oregon 3-0 on Oct. 16. Arizona State (8-15, 3-11) will likely provide Oregon with its best chance for a Pac-10 victory Friday. The Ducks travel to No. 7 Stanford and No. 9 California the week after to finish the season. The Sun Devils defeated Oregon, 3-0, on Oct. 17.
“It’s something that we’ve been working for all season,” Russell said of capturing the team’s first conference victory. “It’s come down to the end and we really want it. We’re playing the Arizona schools, so we’ll be fired up for that.”
Before the Ducks worry about winning a Pac-10 match, they must first make sure that their heads are in the right place and not worrying about Bell’s injury.
“All the girls were sad for her, and they want to be there for her,” assistant coach Rhonda Rust said. “But at the same time, we have a very strong team, and they feel very comfortable with moving forward and Heather stepping in.”