University of Oregon
Arizona
Ducks Unload on Arizona in Sweeping Fashion
10/14/06 | Women's Volleyball
EUGENE, Ore. ? The University of Oregon volleyball team dismantled 2005 NCAA Elite Eight side Arizona in straight sets, sweeping a Pac-10 weekend series of matches for the first time since 1989 on Friday night at McArthur Court.
The Ducks (14-3, 4-3 Pac-10) followed Thursday's victory against Arizona State with a 30-24, 30-24, 30-26 triumph over the Wildcats (10-9, 1-6).
“It was a big step for the program” second-year head coach Jim Moore said. “It's particularly great for the seniors, who have done a lot of the work needed for us to get to this point, but we still feel there is plenty of work left ahead.”
For the second night in a row, Oregon freshman blocker Sonja Newcombe posted match-highs in kills, digs and points, registering 17, 14 and 19.0 respectively. She was nearly unstoppable on the attack, making just one error on 36 swings, resulting in a .444 hitting percentage.
Newcombe out-dueled Arizona's star frosh, 6-3 hitter Whitney Dosty, who led the ?Cats with 13 kills, but also committed 12 errors.
“It's amazing to be at a level where we can beat these teams that we have never beaten before,” senior setter Heather Madison said. “The past makes me appreciate this win even more.”
Madison split the setting duties with freshman Nevena Djordjevic and had 20 assists. The duo was a key part of UO's .283 team hitting percentage.
Oregon, who snapped a 15-match losing streak against UA that dated back to 1998, also shined defensively, holding the Wildcats to a .108 attack clip.
“Our goal at the beginning of the year was five Pac-10 wins, but now that we are almost there, we won't be satisfied with just five,” said senior hitter Erin Little, who had 11 kills. “We believe that we can play with anyone.”
Up next for the Ducks is a trip to the Bay Area to face No. 7 California on Thursday, Oct. 19.
QUACK TRACKS: The Ducks' four conference wins this year betters the total number of Pac-10 wins for the program over the past five seasons ... UO last won four Pac-10 matches in a single year back in 1991 ... Oregon's last win against Arizona was in five sets on Oct. 30, 1998, in Tucson ... UO's last home win over the Wildcats was Oct. 17, 1992 ... Oregon
