Oregon’s Season Ends at No. 8-seed Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Oregon volleyball team concluded the 2013 season with a defeat to eighth-seeded Nebraska, 25-22, 25-19, 25-22, Saturday. The Ducks finish the season with a 20-12 overall record, the third-consecutive 20-win season for the program.

Liz Brenner and Martenne Bettendorf led the team with 14 and 10 kills, respectively, while Canace Finley was the team’s most efficient hitter with a .312 attacking mark on seven kills.

The offensive production for the Ducks was slowed by a stifling block by the Huskers who held Oregon to a .144 hitting percentage. Nebraska finished with 13 total blocks and allowed the Ducks were to hit .200 for the first time in the third set.

“They had a really good block,” said Bettendorf. “They are tough, and they played really well, so as far as their blocking went they are pretty solid.”

While the blocking advantage was evident, Oregon head coach Jim Moore attributed the performance to a difference in passing.

“I think the game came down to serving and passing,” said Moore. “They passed awesome. They served well against us and we didn’t pass as well as they did.”

Oregon proved to be on the aggressor in the early going, jumping out to a 6-3 lead in the first set but the home crowd brought the Huskers to life. Nebraska went on an 8-3 run from down 6-9 to take a 14-12 advantage. The Ducks could not find a way to pull back even, and Nebraska carried on to a 25-22 win.

A 10-2 run by Nebraska put them up 18-11 in the second set as the Huskers’ block remained strong, tallying five in the frame. A late 4-1 run surge by the Ducks gave Oregon some momentum but it was too little too late as Nebraska finished up 25-19.

The third set was a bit of déjà vu for the Ducks who took a 6-3 lead early before Nebraska rallied to take a lead of its own midway through the set. Another late charge brought Oregon to within two points at 21-23 but Nebraska held on for a 25-22 victory.

Brenner’s 547.5 points this season ranks fourth in the Oregon record books. She jumped up three spots with the 16.5 she contributed, Saturday. The junior also registered 514 kills this season, eighth best all-time.

Freshman Amanda Benson recorded 11 digs on the night to put her at 502 for the season, passing Haley Jacob (2011) for fifth all-time.

Lauren Plum used the season to extend her school record for assists which currently sits at 5,213 while Ariana Williams ends her career as the sixth-leading point-getter in Oregon history with 1,445.0.

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#25 Oregon vs #9 NEBRASKA
(Dec 07, 2013 at Lincoln, Nebraska)