Oregon State Weekly Women’s Volleyball Digest

The Beavers face both USC and UCLA this week.

Photo: OSU Athletics

CORVALLIS - Oregon State University women’s volleyball weekly digest.

THIS WEEK:

Oregon State opens the Pac-10 season at home against two of the top teams in the nation.

USC and UCLA open the conference slate with a trip to the State of Oregon and won’t face Oregon and Oregon State until the season’s final weekend in Los Angeles.

SERIES RECORDS:

Oregon State trails, 7-33, in the all-time series against USC. The Beavers last victory over the Women of Troy cam in a four-game match in Corvallis in 1996. OSU swept USC that season winning in L.A. in another four-gamer.

OSU also trails UCLA in the all-time series 2-38. Both of Oregon State’s victories over the Bruins have come in recent years, most recently in a four-game match in 2001. The Beavers also defeated the Bruins in a five-game match in L.A. in 2000.

SCOUTING THE USC AND UCLA:

Last weekend, USC (11-0) defeated two ranked teams topping then No. 12- Pepperdine and then No. 14 Purdue. The Women of Troy, who have lost only five games all year, have recorded four wins over ranked opponents already this season. OH Asia Kaczor leads USC with 4.55 kills per game and MB Diane Copenhagen averages 4.05 kpg. Freshman setter Taylor Carico has taken over the Troy offense in 2006 averaging 12.26 apg.

UCLA (13-0) didn’t drop a single game last week in going 4-0. The Bruins have lost three games to date and have trailed in a match only once falling in game one to Denver two weeks ago. The Bruins are led by senior MB Nana Meriwether with 4.37 kpg and 1.53 blocks per game. Outside hitters Kaitlin Sather, Katie Carter and Ali Dailey all average better than three kills per game. Sophomore Nellie Spicer directs the offense, leading the Pac-10 with 14.00 assists per game.

THE LAST TIME OUT AT THE SALBASGEON SUITES INVITATIONAL:

Oregon State comes off of a bye week after hosting the Salbasgeon Suites Invitational two weekends ago.

The Beavers earned two victories at the Invitational beating San Diego State in a four-game match and sweeping Fresno State.

The victories for the Beavers were the first since a season-opening win over Oral Roberts at the UNLV Classic.

Rachel Rourke recorded 36 kills during the weekend and Brittany Cahoon added 22 kills and each was named to the all-tournament team.

Freshman setter Camilla Ah-Hoy tallied 83 assists in the two matches and directed the offense to a 33 percent hitting efficiency against the Bulldogs.

OSU recorded more digs than Fresno State, 60-50, marking the first time this season that the Beavers have outdug the opponent.

ROURKE POUNDS WITH THE BEST:

Oregon State’s freshman outside hitter Rachel Rourke ranks second in the conference with 4.58 kills per game. Rourke is also seventh in the Pac-10 wtih 5.05 points per game (kills + aces + blocks).

WINDELL PUTTING THE ROOF ON THE RECORD BOOK:

Senior MB Abby Windell moved into 10th place in block assists in OSU history against San Diego State. Windell, who now has 193 block assists in her career, passed Tami Good (1984-87). Windell has 217 total blocks in her career which ties for 13th in OSU history with Merri Walters (1984-86)... Senior Brittany Cahoon in hot on the heels of Windell with 184 career block assists, good for 13th on the all-time list, and 214 total blocks, which is 15th on that list.

Rachel is like the coolest player ever. Aussie Aussie Aussie!

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