University of Oregon
1-0
San Francisco
0-1
Ducks Down Dons in Opener
08/29/09 | Women's Volleyball
* A boxscore and play-by-play is located in the LINKS box to the right, and updated season stats are available via the link above.
EUGENE - The Oregon volleyball team relied on a mix of old and new Friday en route to a 3-0 win over San Francisco in its season opener in the Oregon Classic at McArthur Court.
Oregon sailed past San Francisco by scores of 25-18, 25-8 and 26-24 for its fifth straight season-opening victory under head coach Jim Moore in as many years.
"I thought we played a really good first set," Moore said. "We had a lot of discussion about it being a season opener, so how we played in the second set was pretty special. The first and third sets were pretty close, but I think it is good to have that in a match early in the season. They're a good team and didn't back down. A few of the other league teams lost tonight, so I was glad that we did what we needed to do."
Senior outside hitter Sonja Newcombe and junior outside hitter Heather Meyers racked up 13 and 12 kills, respectively, and both hit .524. Meyers added five service aces - her highest tally since her freshman season when she posted a career high eight twice.
"I am always anxious in the first match of the season, so I was happy with the way I hit," Meyers said. "This year it's a whole different scenario because half of the team is new. It is a new atmosphere, and this season I am the older one and need to be a leader, like Sonja - she's someone I've always looked up to by the way she sets the tone for us."
Also for UO, senior setter Nevena Djordjevic racked up 34 assists, and five Ducks had five or more digs with Newcombe and Djordjevic leading the way with seven and six, respectively.
"Overall, we were fairly happy with how we played," Newcombe said, "especially since there's alwasy some pressure and nerves that come with the first match. I love being able to play various roles for the team on the court. As a senior I want to lead by an example, and am excited to get the season off on the right foot."
Four from UO's six-member newcomer class saw action Friday night, including freshman outside hitter Katherine Fischer and libero Kellie Kawasaki who both started the match. Fischer ended with three service aces - two of which came in a 10-point run late in the second set that sealed UO's comfortable decision - and also had three kills by match's end. The West Linn, Ore,. native Kawasaki came away five digs, while two other newcomers, senior transfer and outside hitter Emilee Sisco and freshman Jocelyn Levig, added two kills each.
Earlier Friday at Mac Court, Eastern Washington topped Missouri State, 3-1, in the tournament opener and both teams' season openers.
The Ducks return to action Saturday morning for a 10 a.m. match vs. Eastern Washington and a 7 p.m. showdown with Missouri State. Both matches offer 2-for-1 admission at the McArthur Court ticket office window with a Bi-Mart card.
The remaining two matches will be held at 12:30 p.m. (Missouri State-San Francisco) and 4:30 p.m. (San Francisco-Eastern Washington) and offer free admission for all fans.
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