Ducks Take Oregon Kickoff Classic Crown, Beat Portland State

The Ducks next three matches are on the road, starting with a trip to Long Beach State on Wednesday.

Photo: goducks,com

EUGENE - The University of Oregon volleyball team took the championship match of the Oregon Kickoff Classic on Sunday, downing intrastate rival Portland State in five games at McArthur Court.

The Ducks (2-0) won 30-26, 33-31, 30-32, 26-30 and 15-11, staving off a spirited comeback from the pesky Vikings (1-1).

Oregon was staring at match point in Game 3 leading 29-25, but Portland State was able to escape being swept and used momentum to grab Game 4 as well.

Five players recorded double-digit points and kills for the Ducks, led by sophomore Mira Djuric, who posted team highs of 25.0 points and 20 kills.

Senior Erin Little was at the top of her game with a match-best .379 attack percentage and 23.5 points on 16 kills, three total blocks and a career-high six aces.

Oregon’s freshmen front line tandem of Neticia Enesi and Sonja Newcombe showed flashes of brilliance.

Newcombe had a double-double with 15 kills and 10 digs, and led the Ducks with six blocks.

Enesi scored 20.5 points and recorded eight digs, including a possible match saving one on a sinking ball down the line with Oregon behind by a point in the deciding game.

Sophomore libero Katie Swoboda had 27 digs to equal Portland State senior Jessica Brodie for the match high. The 5-6 Brodie paced PSU with 34.0 points on 33 kills and a block.

The Vikings hung around in large part thanks to 20.0 total blocks compared to 14.0 for Oregon.

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