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On the surface, the women of Cal might not look like a formidable opponent. With an 11-11 record – 5-7 in conference – and a .231 attack average (to .294 for Oregon), the match looks on paper to be a tune-up for the Ducks before Sunday's showdown against the Cardinal.
The only reason to have any trepidation about the match is the well-documented theory of "trap games." Coach Jim Moore's praised his team's ability to avoid any letdowns between his team's defeat of then-number-two Washington and this weekend's slate – praising their ability to generate their own energy without the backing of a crowd, which won't be an issue Friday.
On Oregon's side of the net, expect solid play from Oregon's core of All-American candidates: Hitters Alaina Bergsma (up for the Lowe's Senior Class Award), Liz Brenner, Kat Fischer, and setter Lauren Plum. If the Ducks have any tricks up their sleeve, you won't see them before Sunday.