Oregon Volleyball Survives Colorado State

Oregon volleyball held out last night against a Colorado State team that would not go away. The Ducks were challenged to five sets in securing their fifth win of the season, 25-20, 25-18, 17-25, 19-25, 15-9.

The teams started the match trading shots early in the first set. Oregon distanced themselves in the middle of the set with a 7-0 run to take a 16-11 lead.

CSU went on a 7-2 run to get within one point, but the Ducks rattled off a 4-0 run to take the first set.

Oregon was dominant in the second set and took a seven point, 15-8 lead midway in the set. The Rams attempted to rally, but were no match for the Ducks’ .455 hit percentage.

Just when we might be entertaining thoughts of a sweep to close out Saturday night, CSU righted their ship in the third set, and Oregon looked lost.

It did not help that the Ducks had difficulty, especially in the third and fourth set, dealing with the presence of 6-7 MB Kekua Richards. Offensively and defensively, she posed a challenge for the Ducks, because if they focused unduly on her then Eve Wilson and Breanna Rowland would pose problems for Oregon instead.

The Ducks adjusted, however, in the fifth set. Ksenija Tomic was instrumental in Oregon’s initial 4-0 lead, and helped establish the tone that would see the Ducks get the win.

CSU tried to keep pace, but the Oregon attack was too much.

The Rams had three players with double-digit kills, led by Eve Wilson with 15. Kekua Richards was the blocks leader with seven. CSU had 14 blocks and 11 service errors on the night, and had a better hit percentage than Oregon – .261 to .253.

Oregon totaled 13 blocks in the match, with seven service aces and 10 service errors.

The Ducks finish their home stand with a 5-0 record, and next will travel to Long Beach for the LBSU Tournament. The Ducks are slated to face San Diego State on Thursday, Long Beach State on Friday, and UC Riverside on Saturday.