EUGENE, Ore. – Senior players are essential for every team. There is a need for leadership and unwavering support on the court, and senior players perfectly exude that.
No. 12 Oregon (14-10, 5-9 BigTen) faced No. 8 Michigan State (18-6, 8-6 BigTen) in Matthew Knight Arena on Sunday after a long stretch of away games, where seniors on both sides were acknowledged and celebrated for Senior Day.
Senior Ducks Cora Taylor, Sophia Meyers and Maya De Los Reyes were highlighted for Sunday's game. Des Los Reyes has been with the team since the 2022 season, where she started out as a serving specialist before progressing into the team’s defensive specialist. She is the only returning player after the complete disbandment of Oregon’s team, which included Coach Matt Ulmer and outside hitter Mimi Colyer parting ways with the school.
Taylor, the Ducks’ setter, played for Butler before playing for Oregon. With the Bulldogs, she amassed 3,036 assists during her three seasons. She’s garnered 721 for the Ducks this season. New outside hitter Meyers played for Loyola Marymount University before transferring, where she tallied 1,250 kills and 1,015 digs. At Oregon, Meyers has made 181 kills and 147 digs.
In times of great tension, Taylor seemed to lead the team in a quiet calmness, nodding to her teammates on the court just before the Spartans served or after an error was made. A pillar of strength and unwavering support, the very definition of what a setter should be.
But not all of her leadership was quiet. Her communication was loud and clear with every ball passed and set. Taylor made it known that every second ball was hers, and the Oregon squad listened. Taylor amassed 41 assists in Sunday's game, leading the team in assists and making her total 762 this season.
“Cora’s overall grit and toughness and willingness to connect has helped every aspect of our game and morale,” head coach Trent Kersten said. “She really understands the teammate and leadership role she has as a setter.”
While Taylor led the offense, Meyers led the defense. She totaled 14 digs this match. There were many moments where the ball got through Oregon’s block, fastly descending to the floor, but Meyers was always there to get it up. Like a shadow, she lingered in the corners and never left the back court exposed. She ensured that every ball that came her way was set up perfectly for Taylor to set. Additionally, she garnered seven kills, demonstrating her versatility in both the front and back courts.
“This has been her best season by a lot,” Kersten said. “She brings a lot of experience to the court and has leveled up her game. She’s playing better competition than she ever has.”
But from the sidelines, De Los Reyes led the team in cheers, being the first and loudest to show support for her teammates’ achievements. She intensely watched the game unfold and never failed to be the first to cheer in victory as a block, dig, or kill was made by her teammates.
De Los Reyes came in to serve for the Ducks in the middle of the third set, where she was able to display her versatility not just as a team player but as an integral part of Oregon's gameplay. She served in high-intensity moments and managed to get Michigan State's defense to scramble for the ball with her serving. Despite not being in the set for long, she jogged back to the sideline with a bright smile on her face, back to cheering on her teammates.
“Maya is the foundation of the team,” Kersten said. “If you know her at all, you know how welcoming she is, as a human. But what’s under the covers of being a good human is how hard she worked this spring to have some opportunities on the court and on serve receive, specifically.”
“She improved so much,” he continued.“She was the only one here, and she committed to it. She was like, ‘I’m in. I want to help. Let’s go. I want to graduate a Duck.’ I feel so lucky to have gotten to coach her.”
Although Oregon struggled initially to establish a lead early on in Sunday's game, the seniors continued to maintain their support and leadership on the court. De Los Reyes, in her unwavering support, Meyers in the defense and Taylor in the offense. With this trifecta, the Ducks were able to get their momentum back multiple times throughout the game.
Leadership is not easy, nor is it something just anyone can do. It takes a special kind of person to become a leader, especially in Oregon's situation. But, Taylor, Meyers and De Los Reyes seem to have all the qualities required for a leader.
“They all have contributed to every aspect to what this year has been,” Kersten said. “They bring experience to our game and bring us up in many different ways.”
With Oregon volleyball having a brand new team this season, the Ducks have experienced many ups and downs with their play. But that doesn’t undermine all of the work they have put both on and off the court. Oregon comes into every game with the mindset of proving itself as a worthy opponent and as a worthy team. And despite their losses, they do just that with their leadership and performance.
Oregon plays Indiana on the road on Nov. 14 at 4 p.m.