Nov. 6, 2009

Box Score in PDF Format

EUGENE, Ore. - Winning the first set has been a common theme for the No. 18 Arizona volleyball team this season.  On Friday night in Eugene, Ore. against the No. 14 Ducks, things were no different as the Wildcats jumped out early and never let up, beating Oregon on its home-court, 3-1.

Tiffany Owens recorded her fourth straight double-double and 12^th on the season with 17 total kills and 15 digs. Setter Paige Weber had perhaps her most complete match of the season, compiling 50 assists and 11 digs for her third consecutive double-double and fifth on the season. Opposite hitter Whitney Dosty also doubled up Friday night with 11 kills and 11 digs.

With the win, Arizona moved a half game ahead of Oregon in the conference standings, improving to 17-6 overall and 6-6 in Pac-10 play while the Ducks fell to 15-6, 5-6 in conference.

Over the first set, UA used an 8-3 run to grab an early 14-8 advantage. Owens posted four kills in the set as the Cats would keep the Ducks at bay and never trail after their initial run, winning the set 25-20.  Courtney Karst also got in on the action with four kills in the first set. 

Up 1-0, Arizona looked to keep things rolling in the second set.  A Jacy Norton kill followed by an Oregon attack error made things 6-2 Wildcats and forced the Oregon bench to signal time.  The Ducks would cut UA's lead to 9-8 before the Cats rallied off a 10-5 run.  Leading 20-16, Dosty and Stephanie Snow had consecutive kills as Arizona would go on to win the set, 25-21, and take a commanding two set lead.

Opening the third set, Arizona established an early 11-5 lead aided by several attack and service errors by Oregon.  The Ducks would come back though and eventually tie the score at 21 all.  The Cats would falter down the stretch of the set and lose 25-23.  Oregon used an 8-3 run in the middle of set three to stage its impressive comeback.

In set four, both teams would trade jabs as the score would find itself notched at 8-8. From there, the Cats rattled off a 9-2 run to make things 17-10 Arizona.  On the heels of two straight attack errors by Heather Meyers, Arizona grabbed the set, 25-17, and the match, 3-1.

The Cats had an overall hitting percentage of .317 against the Ducks, its highest average against a conference foe this year.

When winning the first set, Arizona has a record of 16-2. Arizona surpassed its 2008 overall win total with the victory tonight.  The team also recorded its fourth win over a ranked opponent this season.

Tomorrow Arizona attempts the weekend sweep as it heads to Corvallis to face Oregon State.  Tonight the Beavers lost to Arizona State, 3-1.