Oregon Volleyball: Ducks Fall In Elite Eight vs Nebraska
Oregon Volleyball pushed Nebraska in the first two sets, but fell in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Oregon Ducks are now a program on the rise. In making the Elite 8 after what will become one of the most memorable games in recent history with an insane second set(Friday’s game vs Minnesota saw a 41-39 second set. Oregon won the game.) Lindsey Vander Weide finishes her Oregon career getting the Ducks to the Elite 8.
Last season for Vander Weide was a bit of a struggle. She had a lingering foot injury that did not allow her to use her full potential. Fully healthy this season along with playmakers Ronika Stone and August Raskie, all three played through adversity and did not panic with several NCAA Tournament games on the line this season beating Baylor and Minnesota on the road and taking a road warrior mentality against Minnesota twice in the same season for wins.
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Ronika Stone was impressive vs Minnesota leading the team with 20 kills. She will lead Oregon into 2019 along with several players that stepped up under pressure and performed well. Brooke Nuneviller did not play like a Freshman this season, but a player that had more experience than her time with the Oregon Ducks. Stone and Nuneviller will be there to help push the team to return to the NCAA Tournament next season.
Raskie hit .625 against Nebraska with five kills in the match. Four players hit better than .300 for the Cornhuskers in the 3-0 win. Oregon battled in the first two sets, 25.22, and 25.23 before losing the third set 25-17. Nebraska outhit Oregon .345 to .250 for the game. Oregon made their first Elite 8 since the 2012 season and their first appearance this deep in the NCAA Tournament behind Head Coach Matt Ulmer.
The Oregon Ducks finish the season at 23-11 tying their best Pac-12 Conference second-place finish and back to back appearances in the NCAA Tournament.