Ducks Win Two, Fall in Five to No. 21 UCLA

Friday, November 4

Eugene, Ore.

7 p.m.

University of Oregon

UCLA

Photo by: Eric Evans/GoDucks.com

11/04/05 | Women's Volleyball

By: GoDucks.com

EUGENE, Ore. ? The University of Oregon volleyball team is inching closer to being on a competitive plane with the Pacific-10 Conference elite.

The Ducks (11-13, 1-12) won two of the first three games against No. 21 UCLA (13-8, 6-6) and came within five points of taking the match, but couldn't close the deal in a 33-35, 30-15, 24-30, 30-16, 15-12 victory by the Bruins.

“With our performance against UCLA, we showed that we have the ability to win the type of matches that haven't been won here in the past,” said first-year head coach Jim Moore. “This was a team that was playing extremely well and was all over Oregon State (in a 3-0 win) last night, and we came very close to beating them.”

Oregon held a 10-7 advantage in the deciding game before UCLA went on an 8-2 run, dashing UO's hopes for its biggest program triumph in nearly a decade.

“I know it's disappointing that we didn't get it this time, but if we continue playing at that level, those matches will come,” Moore said.

Freshman libero Katie Swoboda had a match-best 31 digs, tying her career high. Fellow frosh, hitter Mira Djuric, had 15 kills and 17.5 points to lead the Ducks' attack.

Junior hitter Erin Little also set a career mark for digs with 22. Senior hitter Kelly Russell added 13 kills and 17 digs, and junior setter Heather Madison had ten digs to go with 31 assists.

UCLA was paced by the all-around game of freshman setter Nellie Spicer, who had 58 assists, 22 digs, six total blocks and five kills. Junior blocker Nana Meriwether led all players with 27.0 ponts, thanks to match-highs of 17 kills and 16 total blocks.

As the score indicates, Game 1 was a marathon with both teams trading game-point opportunities before Little scored the winner with her face.

UCLA freshman Kaitlin Sather's attack looked strong enough to knot the match at 34-all, but the ball ricocheted off Swoboda and Little's forehead before landing in an open area on the Bruins' side of the net.

Djuric had nine kills in the opening frame and Swoboda had nine digs.

The Bruins appeared to take control of the match in Game 2 behind seven total blocks from Meriwether. She also had four kills on seven swings in the game.

But Oregon came roaring back with a dramatic win in Game 3, holding UCLA to a -.048 hitting percentage. The win marked the first time this season UO has won multiple games against a ranked opponent.

UO appeared to lose focus in Game 4 as the Bruins held a .302 to .000 advantage on the attack.

The Ducks four-match homestand continues on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. with a rare late-season non-conference match against Portland State. Oregon will be seeking to avenge its only non-league loss this season, which came against the Vikings back in September.

Also on the home slate next week is a Civil War showdown against Oregon State. That match is Thursday at 7 p.m.