Arizona Volleyball tripped up by Oregon in Eugene

Off the heels of a two-match upset of Stanford, Paige Whipple led the Arizona Volleyball team back to her home state of Oregon but unfortunately saw the Wildcats fall to the Ducks 3-0.

For the first time during the 2020-21 season, Dave Rubio’s Arizona Volleyball team took on an unranked team, as they squared off against Oregon on Friday afternoon in Eugene. It was the Ducks who came away victorious taking the match in straight sets (25-19, 25-17, 25-15).

It was back and forth in the beginning, as the sides showed signs of early rust with serving and attacking errors prevalent between the Wildcats and Ducks.

Arizona Wildcats

Virtually alternating points at first, Oregon began to pull away when they opened up with a five-point lead on their way to taking the first set 25-19. Despite the Wildcats bringing it back to within two at one point, the Wildcats were done in by 13 errors in the first set, including five from behind the serving line.

Paige Whipple and China Rai Crouch paced the Wildcats attack with four kills apiece, with Crouch posting yet another 1.000 hitting set going 4-4. However, the Ducks’ blocking presence stood tall with five blocks setting the tone early.

To start the second set, we had a Zyonna Fellows sighting, as she quickly picked up a pair of kills combined with a Dilara Gedikoglu ace to get the Wildcats going early. The Wildcats, however, just had no answer for the Oregon attack which was led by Morgon Lewis, Karson Bacon, and Brooke Nuneviller, driving the Ducks lead up to 10-7.

Arizona would run through their timeouts for the set just 17 points in, but luckily they fought and clawed their way back in the set. Unfortunately, it was just not meant to be, as Oregon once again was able to run away from Arizona taking the second set 25-17. The Wildcats done in by self-inflicted errors with three serving errors and four unforced attacking errors.

The third set saw the Wildcats jump out to an early, 10-6 lead thanks in part to the Wildcats’ front line starting to come to life with two quick blocks, but the Ducks refused to go away going on a rally of their own to tie the game up at 11.

Alternating points until they were knotted at 13, it was then that the Ducks would start to pull away putting this match on ice going on to complete the sweep by taking the third and final set 25-15.

All in all, it wasn’t a bad game for Arizona, just unfortunately they were unable to find a way through Oregon’s defense.

The Wildcats will look to bounce back on Sunday as they take on the Ducks at 12 PM MST. The game can be streamed live through the team’s official website via Pac-12 Plus.

Whipple’s Final Homecoming?

Returning home is something that every player looks forward to, and even without family and friends in attendance, it is still special. That’s what Paige Whipple was looking at this weekend as Arizona Volleyball makes their sole visit to the state of Oregon to take on the Ducks for potentially the last time in her college career.

It will soon be decision time for Whipple, as with the additional year of eligibility granted to fall sports for a lack of a true fall season, she could opt to return to the ‘Cats for the 2021 Volleyball season.

In returning this fall, Whipple will bring much-needed experience to what will remain a very young Arizona program. She could potentially help guide the next era of Wildcats to the NCAA Tournament.

However, if Paige opts to depart following the season, she will do so as an All-Pac 12 performer, and hopefully a two-time NCAA Tournament participant, as with Arizona currently receiving votes they have a chance to make the abbreviated 48 team field.

Kamaile Hiapo named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week after a stellar performance against Stanford.

One of the many highlights of the upset wins over Stanford was the stellar play of libero Kamaile Hiapo. Coming off a record-breaking season for a freshman, Hiapo is establishing herself as one of the Pac-12’s best. Against Stanford, Hiapo was targeted 36 times on the serve, and converting 35 receptions, and adding 28 digs on the weekend.