Ducks Back on the Road to Face No. 3 Azusa Pacific

EUGENE, Ore. – Head coach Taylor Susnara and the Ducks close out the first road trip of the season to take on No. 3 Azusa Pacific. Oregon is coming off a bye week after earning the first win of the season in the opener at Augustana.

The Ducks will face off with the Cougars for another top-five matchup between the programs. Last season, Oregon upset then-No. 2 Azusa Pacific in Matthew Knight Arena. Friday's meet will be the beginning of a competitive stretch for the Ducks, as the remaining five meets will come against teams ranked in the top-three of the 2023 NCATA preseason rankings.

MEET INFO
When: Friday, Feb. 17
Where: Felix Event Center | Azusa, Calif.
Time: 7 p.m. PT
Watch: https://athletics.apu.edu/showcase?Live=426

THE DUCKS vs. THE COUGARS
Friday's meet between Oregon and Azusa Pacific will be the 21st between the two programs. In the all-time series, the Ducks are 18-2 against the Cougars. Last season's meeting against Azusa Pacific saw Oregon upset the then-No. 2 ranked Cougars in Matthew Knight Arena. Oregon is coming off the 11th season-opening victory in program history after defeating Augustana, 268.685-251.655. Azusa Pacific kicks off their 2023 season and third under head coach Kara Willard.

DUCKS START STRONG WITH SUCCESSFUL OPENER
Oregon continued a legacy of success in season-openers after a 268.865-251.655 victory over Augustana. Oregon carried over their consistency in the pyramid event from a yera ago, posting a 29.50 in the event. The Ducks earned a 9.80 in the open heat of the toss event, a score that would have been a season-best a year ago. Sophomore Haley Ellis got off to a strong start competing in her home state. The Rapid City, S.D. native posted a 9.825 in the open heat of the tumbling event to begin her second season in Eugene.

DUCKS BRING BACK EXPERIENCED CORE
The new season for the Ducks brings with it some familiar contributors from a season ago. A combined 23 juniors and seniors make up nearly two-thirds of the 2023 returners. Headlining the list of returning Ducks is sophomore Blessyn McMorris. Last season's NCATA Freshman of the Year, McMorris was the first athlete in program history to take home the award after earning freshman of the week honors three times. Seniors Karly Nowak and Bailee Lamson are also slated to be impactful contributors throughout the season. Nowak (Athlete of the Week) and McMorris (Specialist of the Week) each received honorable mention recognition following the first week of action.