By Knight Jarecki
The Oregon Ducks defeated the Cal bears 3-0 Sunday afternoon winning 25-12, 25-19, and 25-19. The win marks the Ducks 5th straight win and 3rd straight sweep.
The first set was even in the first half before Oregon dominated the set late. Cal got the first point to go up 1-0 before Oregon went on a 3-0 run to make the score 3-1. The Ducks had 2 errors in a row to knot the score at 3. Both teams traded points for the next 6 serves keeping the score tied now at 6. Cal then went ahead 8-6 after 2 more errors cost the Ducks points. Cal and Oregon traded points through the next 6 serves giving the Bears a 11-9 lead through the first 20 serves. After the 20 serve mark the Ducks started to hit their rhythm as Oregon went on a 8-0 run to make the score 17-11. Cal Answered with 1 point making the score 17-12 before Oregon went on another 8-0 run to end the set and win it 25-12. Morgan Lewis lead the way with 5 kills in the opening set. Karson Bacon had 6 blocks in the dominant set.
The second set was similar to the first set in the beginning part. Cal held a 5-3 lead before the Ducks answered on a 8-2 run going ahead 11-7. Cal called timeout and had 4 straight points to even the score at 11. The next two points were split keeping the score tied at 12. This lead to a 7-1 run by the Ducks putting them up 19-13. Cal responded with a 5-2 run making the score 21-18. Oregon Finished the set on a 4-1 run to win the set 25-19.
Oregon found themselves behind in the 3rd set early as Cal got ahead 3-0. The Ducks responded fast rattling off 4 straight points to take the lead 4-3. Both teams were even at 5-5 through the first 10 serves. It remained split through the next 4 serves still keeping it tied at 7-7. Oregon then went on a 6-0 run to get ahead 13-7. Cal answered right back with a 3-0 run of their own to cut the lead in half at 13-10. Oregon then went on a 4-2 run to move ahead 17-12. Both teams were even for the next 10 scores as 5 points went to each teams making the score 22-17. Cal added 2 points but the late effort was not enough as Oregon won the 3rd set 25-19 sweeping the match.
Brooke Nuneviller had another double double performance for the Ducks as she finished with 13 kills and 12 digs. Gloria Mutiri was also in double figures for kills as she finished with 11 kills on a .429 hitting percentage. Karson Bacon had a huge afternoon at the net was she finished with 7 Blocks and 6 kills. Oregon Also finished the match with 5 aces in the afternoon.
Oregon now improves to (13-3) on the year. The win is their 11th in the past 12 matches. The Ducks will finish the regular season traveling to Tempe to square off against the Arizona State Sun Devils (5-13) who are coming off back to back losses to Colorado.