Oregon Ducks Volleyball Falls Against Utah, Post Season Path Is Disappearing

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The Oregon Ducks Women’s Volleyball team has a problem. They have outplayed teams recently and won the stat sheet, but have been unable to win games. The team is now 10-10 on the season and 4-7 in Pac-12 play following a four set loss at Utah on Friday night. Oregon has been in a tailspin of late losing five of their last six matches and falling out of the rankings completely. The team showed they can be competitive in almost every game, including a three set loss to top ranked USC.

In their last two home matches the team led in key categories, but as Head Coach Jim Moore has said following several losses this season the team needs to find a way to finish and to get the ball on the floor. Friday night was another setback against the Utes. Against Utah the team led again in kills, digs and blocks. The team also outhit Utah .185 to .177, but was still on the losing end according to GoDucks.com. As far as the post season, the dream is reachable, but with every loss becomes more a nightmare.

Oregon will have to push through the adversity and it starts on Saturday with a match against Colorado. One bright spot for Oregon this season is that all five Freshman have seen playing time. Freshman Lindsey Vander Weide is the key for the Ducks, along with Martenne Bettendorf. Vander Weide is still working her way back from an ankle injury suffered last week, but she was on the floor against USC and Utah. Bettendorf hit at .294 on Friday against the Utes and Vander Weide had a double double with 11 digs and 12 kills to go with 7 blocks.

The Ducks and Buffs take to the court on Saturday at 6pm Pacific Time.