Following a three-set sweep in Matthew Knight Arena on Friday, the No.22 Oregon Ducks returned looking to extend their two-game win streak in a Big Ten Discover Volleyball Challenge Matchup against the No.16 Iowa Hawkeyes. Iowa came in fresh off a loss to Washington, with a 2-8 away record. Oregon is 4-0 in the Big Ten Challenge, while Iowa is 1-3.
The Ducks started strong with a 3-0 scoring run, led by a kill by Sophomore Alannah Clemente. Oregon outperformed Iowa with kills, 16 to 13. Clemente led set 1 with 6 kills, and the Ducks won 25-23.
“I’m always proud of my team and how hard we push through,” Clemente said of the team's performance. “During practice, we love to work hard and practice going through these tough moments.”
Oregon couldn’t start the second set with the same dominance, with the Hawkeyes scoring the first two points of the set, and a kill by Alaina Pollard putting the Ducks on the board. The Ducks tied the score 9 times with the Hawkeyes throughout the second set, but Iowa refused to back down. Oregon took the second set 25-22, with match point coming from a kill by Clemente.
Oregon took the third set 25-15, ending with their biggest lead of the match by 10. The Ducks put up 17 kills in the final set while the Hawkeyes put up 10.
5th-year setter Marina Crownover led the match overall with 36 assists and led the Ducks in digs with 9. The leader of the match in kills and attacks was Clemente, with 18 kills and 35 attacks.
“Marina has such great communication,” Clemente said. “It's very special to be on the court with her because she's such an intense and technical player.”
The Ducks had 6 aces across the three sets, while the Hawkeyes had 4, with Clemente leading the Ducks with two. With this win, the Ducks created a three-way tie at the top of the leaderboard for the Big Ten Discover Volleyball Challenge.
Oregon continues its streak of being undefeated at home in Matthew Knight Arena and will look to upset the No.11 Nebraska Cornhuskers during their next home match on the 7th of November.
“Let’s show them how special it is to be here in Eugene,” Coach Kersten said about the upcoming sold-out match with the Cornhuskers. “Let’s welcome them to Eugene and show them what a great volleyball environment is gonna look like.”