Exciting Midweek Showdown: Oregon Ducks Take on No. 16 USC – Join the Action!

EUGENE, Ore. – The Oregon volleyball team returns home this week after a thrilling road win. They’ll face off against No. 16 USC on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in Matthew Knight Arena.

Oregon (15-11, 6-10 B1G) recently climbed to No. 51 in the NCAA RPI rankings and will take on two tough opponents this week. USC holds the No. 19 spot, and Michigan sits at No. 35.

Rivalry with USC

Oregon has a solid history with USC, winning nine of their last 14 meetings. However, USC swept the Ducks earlier this season in Los Angeles. Overall, Oregon has won 13 of the last 24 matchups since 2012.

A Showdown with Michigan

On Saturday, Oregon will play Michigan for the sixth time, currently holding a 3-2 lead in the series. Last season, the Ducks swept Michigan in Ann Arbor. Notably, Valentina Vaulet had an impressive double-double with 14 kills and 10 digs in that match.

Last Match Highlights

The Ducks recently secured an exciting five-set win over then-No. 9 Purdue. Alanah Clemente stood out with a career-high 25 kills, while Cora Taylor showcased her skills with 59 assists. The team saved two match points in the fifth set, finishing with a season-high hitting percentage of .338.

Fresh Talent

Alanah Clemente has been named Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the second time, averaging 4.94 points and 4.44 kills per set during her recent road trip. She is currently among the top freshmen in the nation for points per set and leads the Big Ten in service aces.

Setting the Bar

Senior setter Cora Taylor is a key player, now with 3,893 career assists. This ranks her 10th among active Division I setters. During Big Ten matches, she averages 9.54 assists per set and has recorded five double-doubles this season.

Consistent Performance

Sophia Meyers has also been strong, averaging 2.78 kills per set on her recent road trip. She managed to hit double digits in kills during 11 matches this season.

Service Aces Galore

Oregon ranks third in the Big Ten with 174 aces this season. Individually, Clemente and Vaulet are leading the conference with 44 and 43 aces, respectively.

Home Court Advantage

Oregon has a home record of 6-4 this season, with notable victories over teams like Iowa, Ohio State, and UCLA. They recently celebrated their 150th win at Matthew Knight Arena, reflecting their strong presence at home.

Defensive Stronghold

Iva Sucurovic has been a star on defense, currently sixth in the Big Ten with 113 total blocks. The team does well when out-blocking opponents, boasting a winning record of 12-2 under these circumstances.

The Ducks are poised for an exciting week ahead. Keep an eye on their performance as they aim to build momentum at home! For more updates, check out Oregon Volleyball’s Instagram and Facebook.

Source link