If last week’s matches against No. 1 USC and No. 9 UCLA were a midterm for the Oregon volleyball team, the Ducks would’ve received a passing grade.
Oregon won its first Pacific-10 Conference game of the year and hammered out a season high 85 digs in a 3-1 loss to UCLA on Thursday. The Ducks also set a season high with 12.5 blocks the following night in a 3-0 loss to USC.
Oregon head coach Carl Ferreira said the Ducks (3-17 overall, 0-11 Pac-10) have improved, but still have plenty of work to do.
“The USC, UCLA weekend were our two best Pac-10 matches of the year,” Ferreira said. “It’s not coincidental that we have our season high in digs of 85 in one match and our season high in blocks with 12.5 in the other match.
“That says you’re still progressing, you’re getting better and your system is getting better.”
Other areas the Ducks have improved on are their on-court chemistry and passing game. The latter area was upgraded enough to grab the attention of USC head coach Mick Haley.
“Their passing game has improved immensely,” Haley said after Friday’s match. “They move the ball around well.”
Sophomore middle blocker Kelly Russell said the Ducks’ chemistry builds from spending hours in the gym together.
“(Team) chemistry is a lot better,” Russell said. “We know each other better and can feel each other on the court. Since you’re so close with six people on a little court you really have to know your teammates.”
Diggin’ Feola
Freshman defensive specialist Kandice Feola saw extended playing time last week for the first time during conference play. The Creswell native contributed seven digs against the Southern California schools and was a key communicator among Oregon defenders.
“I think I practiced very well the week before, so I was prepared,” Feola said. “I got some time on our starting side so I had good chemistry with the girls.”
Ferreira said Feola has continued to work hard despite seeing action in only nine games this season.
“There are a lot of athletes who could take a page out of the book from what Kandice did for about a month and a half,” Ferreira said. “She had a great attitude in practice and that’s not the easiest thing when you’re not getting a lot of playing time, because playing time is one of the ultimate reinforcers to your progress.
“To get your chance in front of the No. 1- and No. 9-ranked teams in the country is pretty impressive.”
Fantastic freshmen
Outside hitter Sarah Mason and middle blocker Kristen Bitter are among the Pac-10’s best during conference matches. Mason is 10th in the Pac-10 with 3.59 kills per game and second among freshmen. Bitter is fifth in the conference with 1.21 blocks per game, which is tops for freshmen.
Team leaders
Russell leads Oregon with 217 kills and 3.19 kills per game. She also leads the Ducks with 260 points, which include kills, service aces, blocks and block assists. Sophomore setter Jodi Bell has dished out a team-high 635 assists, while junior libero Katie O’Neil leads Oregon with 205 digs. Bitter is tops on the team with 11 solo blocks and 63 block assists.
Civil War
The Ducks will host Oregon State on Thursday at 7 p.m.
The Beavers (12-11, 2-9) have lost five consecutive matches, but dropped the Ducks, 3-0 (30-26, 30-27, 30-28) Oct. 2 in Corvallis.
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