Addicted To Quack - Oregon Volleyball Advances to First-Ever Elite Eight With 3-1 Defeat of BYUAn Oregon Ducks Blog: Often Imitated, Never Duplicated, Always Fashionablehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46661/atqfavicon.png2012-12-14T01:00:27-08:00http://www.addictedtoquack.com/rss/stream/35059512012-12-14T01:00:27-08:002012-12-14T01:00:27-08:00Lady Ducks Defeat Top Seeded Penn State in 4 Sets
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<figcaption>The Ducks are 3 sets away from a National Title | Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Ducks lost the first set but came back to defeat the top seeded Penn State Nittany Lions in Louisville.</p> <p>The Ducks continue the journey into the unknown. Oregon's first final four opponent could not have been a larger challenge as Oregon faced off against the top seed of the tournament, the Penn State Nittany Lions. It seemed from early on that the moment was simply too big for the first time Ducks but after regrouping after the first set, the Ducks took the next three sets to win the semifinal match up 21-25, 30-28, 25-22, 25-19.</p>
<p>Early on, the Ducks seemed to struggle with Penn State's front line as the Lions tallied 6 blocks in the first set. The Ducks simply couldn't get over the hump until Ariana Williams put the Ducks in the lead 20-19. Penn State would only allow one more point as they went on a run to close out the Ducks in the first set 25-21. Oregon committed 11 errors and basically handed the set over to a team who looked to be simply more talented than the Ducks in the first set.</p>
<p>Oregon seemed to be more focused in the second set as they jumped out to a big lead 20-10. The Lions seemed dead in the water but slowly started to work their way back into the set. They forced extra points on the Ducks and even had the advantage with the serve looking to take a commanding 2-0 set lead but the Ducks took advantage of a PSU service error and then a kill by senior Liz Brenner to give the Ducks a tie at intermission 1-1. Even with their backs against the wall, the Lady Ducks never blinked and turned away the Lions twice in the extra points retaking the lead and eventually winning the set.</p>
<p>The Lions would also suffer a big loss as Micha Hancock would suffer a lower leg injury which seemed to hamper her throughout the rest of the match. Oregon would take advantage as they took charge in the third set, getting ahead 15-11 on another kill from Ariana Williams. PSU would battle back tying up the set once again at 21 when Hancock would set up Ariel Scott for the kill. The Ducks would take control from that point as Kat Fischer and Williams would close out a pivotal third set giving Oregon a big 2-1 set lead.</p>
<p>The set lead seemed to energize the Ducks going into the fourth and final set. Oregon never trailed in the final set as they won 25-19 to secure their first trip to the national championship. For the second time in the match, Oregon would take a 20-10 lead but would not surrender this lead as they continued to get a strong attack from conference player of the year Alaina Bergsma.</p>
<p>The Ducks go on to face the Texas Longhorns in the National Championship. Texas was taken to 5 sets against Michigan. It can be said that the Ducks have already beaten the toughest team in the tournament in Penn State but it is doubtful that coach Jim Moore will let the Ducks rest. There are no guarantees as to what will happen next but either way it will be a program first. The Ducks and Longhorns will face off Saturday at 4 PM to battle for the national championship.</p>
https://www.addictedtoquack.com/2012/12/14/3765800/lady-ducks-defeat-defending-champs-penn-state-in-4-setsJake Tabor2012-12-08T23:10:27-08:002012-12-08T23:10:27-08:00Ducks Overcome Huskers 3-1
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<figcaption>Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Ducks follow the attack of Alaina Bergsma and Ariana WIlliams as they win in four sets in front of a highly partisan, Nebraska crowd.</p> <p>The Ducks came into the Elite 8 against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, already a midst their best season in program history. After the first set was dominated by the Huskers it looked as though the dream season was coming to an end. However, the Ducks were able to right the ship and win the match going away 15-25. 25-22, 25-18, 25-17.</p>
<p>The Huskers hit an astonishing .621 in the first set as their constant attack lead to 19 kills in the first set. Oregon got a healthy dose of Meghan Haggerty and Gina Mancuso as they consistently pounded the Oregon defense. The Ducks just didn't look like they had it together as the Huskers continually found holes in the Duck defense and killed the ball exceptionally well. The Ducks simply looked like the crowd, opponent and the moment may have just been too big for them as they fell in the first set 15-25.</p>
<p>Oregon started the set in an inauspicious manner as well as Oregon started with a service error. However, a pair of kills by Alaina Bergsma started up an Oregon run that saw them get out to an early 4 point lead. Bergsma had 7 of her game high 23 kills in the second set, setting up the Ducks with a 25-22 set win and a 1-1 tie going into the intermission. Bergsma was complimented on the attack by Ariana Williams who capped the set with an attack that Nebraska couldn't handle.</p>
<p>The third set was up for grabs through the first 15 points until Liz Brenner got up for the block giving Oregon a 3 point lead. Nebraska would battle back, getting within a point but that was when the Huskers started to unravel. The Ducks would get out on a run taking a 17-10 lead on the strength of Bergsma and Wililiams' attack. Oregon won the third set as Kat Fischer's attack found the floor for a 25-18 set win.</p>
<p>The fourth and final set was quite similar to the third set as the teams went back and forth, trading points. the Ducks would again have to overcome adversity as the Huskers took a lead late in the set, leading 16-14. The Ducks though would rattle off 11 of the next 14 points closing out the Huskers with an ace from Paige Hubl. The Ducks didn't hit particularly well but their defense was stifling, causing Nebraska to only hit .028 in the final set and committed 8 errors which ultimately was their undoing.</p>
<p>The Ducks continue this journey into uncharted territory as they will have to face the #1 seed Penn State Nittany Lions in the Final Four. They have a few days off before they travel to Louisville on the 13th. If the Ducks of the last three sets show up against Penn State, they have a really good chance to make it to the championship game. Bergsma is playing like the conference player of the year and is a match-up problem for any team they face.</p>
https://www.addictedtoquack.com/2012/12/8/3745850/oregon-overcomes-poor-first-set-to-defeat-huskersJake Tabor2012-12-08T14:07:47-08:002012-12-08T14:07:47-08:00Oregon Nebraska volleyball.
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Ducks make their first trip to the Elite 8 in program history.</p> <p>Game is on ESPNU.</p>
<p>Also check Pac12 network for live stream. My computer is down today so I will be mobile posting.</p>
https://www.addictedtoquack.com/2012/12/8/3744636/volleyball-elite-8-oregon-vs-nebraskaJake Tabor2012-12-07T16:20:30-08:002012-12-07T16:20:30-08:00Oregon Beats BYU to Advance to First Elite Eight
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<figcaption>Dominic Vieira</figcaption>
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<p>The Ducks will face the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday at 3:30 after beating the Cougars 25-23, 25-21, 22-25, 25-12.</p> <p>Jim Moore's record-setting Oregon volleyball team can add another notch to their impressive list of achievements: Advancing to the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history.</p>
<p>Sophomore Liz Brenner led the Ducks with a season-high 26 kills – one of four Oregon players with double-digit kills on the afternoon. Senior Alaina Bergsma backed up Brenner's efforts with 17 kills, and Ariana Williams and Kat Fischer checked in with 13 and 12, respectively.</p>
<p>Oregon took the first two sets of the match 25-23 and 25-21, despite BYU having a better attack percentage over those first two sets. The Ducks were able to take advantage of excellent serving on the afternoon – five separate players recorded a service ace in the match – and some crucial BYU errors late in those games to take a commanding 2-0 lead into the break.</p>
<p>The Cougars came out determined in the third set, refusing to be Oregon's third consecutive sweep of the NCAA tournament. BYU held Oregon to a .233 mark for the third set – their lowest of the match – and took some momentum into the fourth set off of a 25-22 set victory.</p>
<p>The Ducks responded by coming out on fire in the fourth and final set, muscling their way to an early lead and forcing the Cougars to use their final timeout down 18-10 in the set. Driving the spirited charge for Oregon was its defense, led by senior Haley Jacob who had 24 digs on the match. She received plenty of help from her teammates, as four other Ducks had at least 10 digs against BYU.</p>
<p>Oregon will now watch and wait as their possible opponents play to decide who faces the Ducks in the Elite 8 round of the NCAA tournament tomorrow afternoon. Washington has played Oregon twice this season, splitting the two matches with the Ducks, while Nebraska is the #4 overall seed and has home-court advantage in Omaha.</p>
https://www.addictedtoquack.com/2012/12/7/3741850/oregon-volleyball-advances-to-first-ever-elite-eight-with-3-1-defeatUOWillRubin2012-12-07T13:56:44-08:002012-12-07T13:56:44-08:00Sweet 16 Ducks vs. Cougars Open Thread
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<figcaption>Dominic Vieira </figcaption>
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<p>The #5 overall seed Oregon Ducks look to advance past the Sweet 16 for the first time in the history of the volleyball program. </p>
<p>TV/Stream: <a href="http://espn.go.com/watchespn/player/_/source/espn3/id/688117/" target="new">ESPN3</a>
<br>Live Stats: <a href="http://www.ncaa.com/game/volleyball-women/d1/2012/12/07/byu-oregon#boxscore" target="new">HERE</a></p> <p>After roaring through their NCAA regional at Matthew Knight Arena without dropping a set, the Oregon women look to advance to the Elite 8 of the volleyball tournament by taking down the #12 seed <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/byu-cougars" class="sbn-auto-link">BYU Cougars</a>.</p>
<p>The game plan will be the same – look to serve well and capitalize on outside opportunities with stars Alaina Bergsma and Liz Brenner – but the Ducks must cut down on the service errors in order to have a chance against the veteran BYU squad.</p>
<p>Should Oregon prevail, they will play the winner of the Nebraska-Washington match on Saturday afternoon, with that game scheduled to be on ESPNU.</p>
<p>Will the magical season end here for Jim Moore's Fighting Ducks, or will they march on to a possible date with Washington in the Elite 8?</p>
https://www.addictedtoquack.com/2012/12/7/3741402/ncaa-volleyball-sweet-16-open-thread-oregon-ducks-vs-byu-cougarsUOWillRubin