SPORTS
OREGON VOLLEYBALL TRANSFERS MOMENTUM FROM NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE INTO PAC-12 PLAY The team showed its potential as a contender in non-conference play, finishing 9-1. BY AARON HEISEN • TWITTER @AARON_HEISEN
Daley McClellan jumps to hit her serve. The Oregon Ducks host the Oregon State Beavers on Sept. 22, 2021, at Matthew Knight Arena. (Serei Hendrie/Emerald) The Oregon volleyball team entered the season ranked No. 13 in the nation with expectations of returning to the Sweet 16 and potentially greater heights. The road to the title started with nine non-conference games where the Ducks established themselves as a contender before beginning their Pac-12 schedule. While they dropped a game to the Minnesota Gophers, the Ducks earned resume-boosting victories against Rice University and Penn State. Their
Pac-12 schedule started on a high note as they took down Oregon State on Wednesday night. The victory against Penn State was especially historic. Nittany Lions head coach Russ Rose has spearheaded one of the top volleyball programs since his hiring in 1979. Rose entered the season with over 1,300 career victories, but head coach Matt Ulmer and the Ducks swept the Nittany Lions in a statement win. “[Rose] is one of the absolute best
coaches in our sport,” Ulmer said. “This win was great for our program to show that we can compete with the best teams. Expect Oregon to use the momentum it garnered from its stellar preseason play as it prepares for a tough Pac-12 schedule. This Ducks team is led by veteran outside hitters Taylor Borup and Brooke Nuneviller. The duo has showcased its toughness, rarely getting subbed out during the games.
Nuneviller played through a hurt ankle in the Ducks’ sweep of San Jose State. The sophomore from Chandler, Arizona leads the team with 109 kills. Borup has had an impressive start to her senior season as well, complementing Nuneviller with 92 kills of her own. She came through with the game-winning kill against Penn State. “We needed Borup to step up,” Ulmer said. “She showed toughness and maturity, producing big kills when
W E D N E S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 2 9 , 2 0 2 1
|
EMERALD
|
PA G E 1 9
