University of Oregon
Cal State Northridge
Ducks Snag another Road Win, Improve to 4-0
09/01/06 | Women's Volleyball
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. ? The University of Oregon volleyball team improved to 4-0 on the young season, defeating host Cal State Northridge, 3-1, Friday at the Freemont Investment & Loan Invitational.
The Ducks, who notched back-to-back road wins at the beginning of a season for the first time since 1999, dropped the opening set to the Matadors (2-2), 22-30, before rallying for three straight wins, 30-28, 30-14 and 30-14.
“We made so many errors in the first game,” said second-year head coach Jim Moore. “After coming off a big win at Long Beach State (on Wednesday), I think we were a bit anxious.”
That anxiety quickly subsided as the Ducks cut their errors over the final three sets and took care of a solid Northridge squad. UO hit .054 in Game 1 with 10 attack errors compared to a season-high .647 in Game 4 with a single miscue.
“Cal State Northridge is much improved,” Moore said. ?They are going to beat some people in the Big West this season.”
Senior hitter Erin Little picked up where she left off against The Beach, leading Oregon with 21.0 points on 15 kills, seven blocks and two aces. She also had a match-high .481 attack rate.
“Erin has stepped up and done some really special things,” Moore said.
Sophomore hitter Mira Djuric was next for the Ducks with 17.5 points and 14 kills while hitting .346.
Freshman middle blocker Sonja Newcombe had 10.0 points, eight kills and 11 digs despite continuing to play with a ab strain suffered during the second week of training camp.
“Sonja is a stud,” Moore said. “She is hurting beyond belief right now.”
Senior Heather Madison handled the setting duties and racked up a match-high 43 assists to go with 11 digs. Sophomore libero Katie Swoboda led all players with 12 digs.
Oregon concludes its participation at the tournament on Saturday morning with an 11 a.m. neutral site match against WAC side Utah State (2-1).
QUACK TRACKS: The Ducks are 4-0 to start the season for a third straight year ... the last time UO won its first two road matches of a season was in 1999 when they beat Boston College and New Hampshire ... Oregon improved to 15-1 in non-conference matches under Jim Moore ... SO OH Mira Djuric reached the 500-kill plateau faster than any Oregon player since the start of full record keeping in 1982. She now has 505 ... The Ducks lost Game 1 for the first time this season.
