Oregon Ducks News: Clemente skies to B1G honor, Sabrina sits, Gundy going senile?

Opposite hitter Alanah Clemente earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors for her role in Oregon Volleyball's 3-0 start in nonconference play. The 6-2 leaper from Bishop Alemany High in Santa Clarita, California scored 29 kills and a .684 hitting percentage in wins over South Dakota, Prairie View A&M and Montanta State.

“It feels great,” Clemente said to Olivia Cleary of KEZI Tuesday. “Just coming into this, I didn't really think that I'd be a big impact, because all these girls are just so amazing. So I wasn't really going into this thinking like, oh, I'm going to be this top player. I was going into this thinking like, I just want to get better for future things.”

The Ducks return to Matthew Knight Arena Wednesday night for a match against the University of Portland, 6 p.m. PT, TV on Big Ten+.

Liberty slumps with Sabrina sidelined

As Pro Duck Sabrina Ionescu missed her third game in a row with an injury to her left big toe, New York lost 66-58 to the Golden State Valkyries in San Francisco.

Now 24-17, the team clinched a spot in the playoffs despite the loss as Indiana lost to Phoenix.

Ionescu is day-to-day with the injury. Head coach Sandy Brondello said, "This is her hometown, she has great support here," Brondello said before the game. "Unfortunately, she can't play tonight, but we've got the big picture in mind. We just need to get her healthy because she's so important to what you're doing."

Breanna Stewart and Natasha Cloud each had 19 for the defending champions. Former Duck Nyara Sabally continues to sit out with a knee injury.

The road trip continues Friday with a game against the Seattle Storm, 7 p.m. PT on the Ion channel and WNBA League Pass. The playoffs begin on Sunday September 14.

Gundy demonstrates selective memory in Oregon NIL blast

Mike Gundy made noise on Monday by suggesting the Ducks had an unfair NIL and booster support advantage, but his comments ring hollow when you glance at the history.

At his weekly press conference Gundy told reporters, "Oregon is playing really well. I think they're well coached. They're spending a lot of money and they've put a lot into that organization and you can see; they're a good football team."

On radio he wondered aloud if the Ducks would be able to continue to afford quarterback Dante Moore.

Before his death in 2019, entrepreneur and philanthropist T. Boone Pickens gave over a billion dollars to Oklahoma State University, $300 million in 2005-2006 alone. The stadium in Stillwater is named after him.

Read More: