Despite a change-up in the Ducks’ offense, Oregon volleyball lost to Utah 3-1 (25-23, 25-22, 20-25, 25-23) in Salt Lake City on Friday.
Oregon ran a six-two defense tonight, rather than its usual single-setter offense. Pac-12 Networks reported head coach Jim Moore chose this set-up because it offers “more offense opportunities.”
In addition to a new offense, some new faces made appearances for Oregon this match. Sophomore Frankie Shebby and freshmen August Raskie, Hayley McLaren and Lauren Page came in to play. Shebby stepped in to replace Lindsey Vander Weide in Oregon’s home match last weekend, after the freshman left the court with a twisted ankle. Shebby scored 11 kills in the match — bested only by senior Martenne Bettendorf — earning her the starting position Friday night.
The new talent wasn’t enough to help Oregon to a win tonight, though, as its record fell 10-10, 4-7 Pac-12.
The first set began with the teams neck-and-neck. Taylor Agost scored a kill for the Ducks to tie the score at 4 apiece. Utah combated Oregon’s front row defense by tipping, but a triple block by Oregon’s front row gave the Ducks to a 9-5 lead before Utah took its first timeout. Oregon maintained the lead at mid-set 16-15 on a kill by Lindsey Vander Weide. But it wasn’t long before the Ducks showed their finishing weakness, taking both timeouts and trailing Utah 17-21 at the end of the set. Utah finished the set with a 25-23 win, earning the first set point.
Oregon kept its quick offense running in the second set, earning the first three points of the match after a solo block by Vander Weide. But the Ducks had trouble containing Utah’s Adora Anae, who led the Utes early on with nine kills and five digs by the second set. Utah quickly fought back and took the 10-6 lead before Oregon called a timeout.
A mid-set 3-0 scoring push by Oregon led the Ducks to tie the score at 10 apiece. Back-and-forth play led to another tie at 17, but it was Utah that finished the set 25-22. At the intermission, Moore commented on what Oregon needed to do to get a set win.
“We have to pass a lot better,” Moore said. “We’re just all wound up; we just have to calm down.”
After the break, Oregon led Utah at mid-set 13-11, using a strong block to win its 13th point. Oregon took a timeout as the Utes made the set close at 20-19. The Ducks went on to win set three 25-20, earning their first set point of the night.
Utah won the fourth set 25-23 despite kills by Page and Agost. The 3-1 win helped Utah after a losing streak, while Oregon’sseason-long difficulty of finishing matches continued.
The Ducks remain on the road for a match against Colorado on Saturday. Colorado has a winning-tradition on its home court; the Ducks will have to play a strong defensive game to end that tradition.
Follow Madison Layton on Twitter @MadisonLayton01