Five Reasons to Follow Oregon Women’s Volleyball

3) Moore Put Ducks’ Volleyball on the Map

Coming into his eighth year as the Ducks’ head coach, Moore has successfully had 17 or more victories in the last six years (25 being the peak in 2008) and culminated a 73-4 non-conference record (meaning the other 77 losses have come in a tough, competitive conference). No other coach in Oregon history has won 20+ games in three straight seasons (2007-2009).

The largest winning streak (14 in 2010) has also been seen under him, and it wasn’t long before him that the team suffered the longest losing streak (19 in 2003).

It’s not even close – Moore has been bringing in the talent and executing it to compete in a strong conference.  Now they want to build on the disappointing first round exit against Colorado State last season.

4) Can They Reach the Tournament and Get Past the Regional?

No question that 2011 was an exceptional year – ending Penn State’s 94-match home win streak, defeating the eventual champions in conference play, and decimating the previous home record by 2,393 fans.

Now what’s left is…what to build on? As previously stated, the Ducks couldn’t break through in a rough four game stretch against the conference’s best and they lost to a team they shouldn’t have at home. They also were bounced out in the first round of the NCAA tournament by Colorado State.

This schedule doesn’t seem to be as tough as last season – the biggest games on the slate are Ohio State and Kentucky in the non-conference (both top 25 teams). The team doesn’t have to play any more than two of those top six teams in a row for a stretch.

It doesn’t mean they can slack off, but the schedule is built for them to get right back into the tournament and go past the regional round. Under Moore, they’ve made it twice – in 2007 losing to UCLA and in 2009 losing to Iowa State.

5) Alaina Bergsma is 2012 Miss Oregon USA

She’s considered the overall best player on the team, and that’s not all she represents. Bergsma was a contestant on the Miss USA Pageant this year. And she finished her degree at the university.

She’s sexy, smart, and athletically talented. If you’re a man, it’s a must watch to admire. For women, she’s someone to look up to as a role model.

Don’t make her the ONLY reason to watch the team, but one of the reasons – to watch her lead this talented class of 2012 with a fantastic head coach.