Huskies pluck Ducks

By Ben Miller

Nov 1, 2004, 12:00 AM

EUGENE, Ore. - In a game that felt like it was being played at home, the Washington volleyball team continued to show why they are No.1 in the nation, defeating Oregon in three games last Friday. The Huskies (19-0 overall, 11-0 Pac-10) defeated the Ducks in front of an unusual away-game crowd that was dominated by purple and gold, including the UW football team. "It was great to look up and see them all up there cheering for us," junior Brie Hagerty said. "It seemed like we outnumbered the Oregon fans." The win completed a two-match sweep of the state of Oregon, as the Huskies survived Oregon State in five games 3-2 Thursday. In game one, the Huskies looked sloppy out of the gate with eight unforced errors, while Oregon came out with solid play. It was not enough, however, as Washington came out on top in the end with a close 30-27 victory to take a 1-0 match lead. The Husky defense was not as strong as normal, allowing Oregon to hit at .240. Allyson Leavitt led the Duck attack with five kills. Freshman Christal Morrison helped Washington come out on top with seven kills and six digs in the game. The second game was all Huskies from the beginning. The UW started the game 4-0, but Oregon rallied to put the game at 11-8. However, Hagerty responded with three straight kills for Washington, leading to a run of six straight points. Washington did not look back after that, winning 30-19. Junior Candace Lee led the defense for the Huskies, recording 12 digs as the Ducks were held to a .120 hitting percentage. Sophomore Courtney Thompson controlled the Husky attack, putting up 20 assists in game two. Oregon came out strong in game three, taking a 3-7 lead, but the Huskies responded. Washington went on a 9-1 run which included two service aces by Morrison to take a 12-8 lead, but the Ducks did not fold. A run of four straight points by Oregon brought them to within one at 15-14. Washington responded with its own run, winning the next six points to distance themselves as they won the game 30-21 to sweep the match. Hagerty was a standout on the night as she put down 21 kills on a .421 hitting percentage. "Courtney [Thompson] was feeding the ball and getting it spread out, and I was able to go for it and get back in my groove," Hagerty said of her big night. Lee came up big defensively in all three games, registering 32 digs on the night. The Husky defense held Oregon to a .020 hitting percentage in game three and .128 for the match. "I thought we were a little hot and cold, a little streaky," coach Jim McLaughlin said. "We keep getting hot when we have to get hot and that's a good thing, but I'd just like us to be more consistent start to finish." Washington continues road play as it heads to Pullman to face Washington State Friday.

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