Oregon Volleyball: Ducks European Tour Leads Into 2019 Schedule
The Challenging 2019 Season begins with the Pac-12/Big Ten Challenge and a rematch with Penn State.
Every four years, teams are allowed a rather unique team building experience, typically overseas. Earlier this month, the Oregon Volleyball team embarked on a trip to Italy. The 11-day tour featured six exhibition matches leading into the upcoming season.
The 2019 Schedule has some big challenges including a match against Penn State on their home floor. Oregon topped Penn State in University Park several seasons ago. The season begins in PA against both Minnesota and Penn State. Oregon will play 12 matches in the friendly confines of Matthew Knight Arena.
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The Elite 8 team from a year ago opens the home slate on August 30th against UC Irvine in the Oregon Classic. The Ducks will also welcome Boston College to Eugene on the two-day tournament on August 30-31.
Oregon then goes on the road for two weeks that include the Pac-12/Big Ten Challenge against Penn State and Minnesota. The Ducks will open the East Coast road trip at Pittsburgh before traveling to State College. The games against the Golden Gophers and Nittany Lions will have a very similar feel to the Vert Challenge, an early season tournament the Ducks have played in over the last four years.
Matt Ulmer and the Ducks will spend a second week on the East coast for the Hofstra Invitational in New York and will face St. John’s, Duke, and Hofstra before opening Pac-12 play against Oregon State in Corvallis. The Ducks will then host three games against Utah, Stanford, and Cal.
The rest of the season includes a trip North to face Washington and Washingon State before returning home to welcome USC and UCLA. The Ducks then have four games on the road before returning to Matthew Knight for four straight games. The season ends against Oregon State on November 29th.
The Oregon Ducks return top talent with experience for the 2019 season with Ronika Stone, Brooke Nuneviller, and Willow Johnson all set to return.