Ducks Shut Down Michigan State, 3-1
The Ducks will be back in action Saturday night against Michigan at 7:30 p.m.
(EUGENE, Ore.) — After the No. 18 Oregon volleyball team dropped its first set against No. 23 Michigan State 25-22, Friday, the Ducks found their stride and were unrelenting in the final three sets, winning 25-13, 25-15, 25-12.
How It Happened:
Even in the first set, Oregon (7-0) had its chance as Ducks were able to score three consecutive points to take a 21-18 lead. From there, the tides turned quickly with Michigan State (4-3) scoring seven of the final eight points to take the set 25-22.
Even as the favorite, the nerves were evident for the young Oregon team in the first set, but the rest of the match was a one-sided affair. After allowing Michigan State to hit .278 in the first set, the Spartans hit .020 for the remainder of the match. On the other end, the Ducks hit .175 in the first set compared to .371 during the final three sets.
The three-pronged attack from outside hitters Martenne Bettendorf, Frankie Shebby and Liz Brenner led the charge, each tallying double digit kills and combining for 41 of the team’s 59 kills. Shebby, who was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week on Monday, finished with 13 kills and a .440 hitting line. Brenner recorded her sixth double-double of the season with 12 kills and 15 digs, only being out-dug by Amanda Benson who had 17.
What It Means:
Even with a nice nonconference resume under their belts, the victory over the Spartans was a big one. Jim Moore mentioned as much after the match.
“We came out pretty nervous,” Moore said. “I let them know that this is a big match, so I’m to blame for that a little bit, for sure.”
But now it is two times, both against ranked teams, that the Ducks have shown they have the capability of wiping the slate clean, throwing momentum aside and, as has been Moore’s mantra for more than a season now, focusing on the next point.
Dominant Defense:
With the offense working primarily through the outside but the defense was dominant in the middle. Both Kacey Nady and Serena Warner have taken turns leading the block and each came up big, Friday. The two combined for 11 total blocks, Warner with two solos and five assists while Nady recorded two of each.
Notes and Numbers:
Brenner surpassed Madeline Ernst on the Oregon career kills list and is now seventh with 1,357…Oregon finished with 12 blocks, the fourth time the team has been in double figures this season…The Ducks finished hitting .314, above their season average of .300.
Next Up:
The Ducks will be back in action Saturday night against Michigan at 7:30 p.m. Military members and their families can purchase a $3 GA ticket, as can fans who have a Wyoming football ticket stub.
