The Oregon Ducks volleyball took down the Utah Utes in three sets Sunday afternoon and saw the return of senior setter Lauren Plum. The Ducks easily glided through the first set 25-15. In the second set, the Utes nearly doubled their number of kills (17) and gave the Ducks some trouble, but the Ducks ultimately pulled away thanks to a strong hitting percentage (69). In the third and final set, Utah made one strong push right at the end, going on an 8-2 run, but could not hang on and the Ducks notched their 12th win of the season. Oregon will get a few days off before traveling down to Palo Alto, Calif. to take on tough Stanford team later this week.
Oregon players Serena Warner (15) and Naya Crittenden (8) celebrate a point with their teammates. The Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Matt Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 20, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Senior setter Lauren Plum, who returned to the court since spraining her ankle several games again, sets the ball for an Oregon outside hitter. The Oregon Ducks take on the Utah Utes at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 19, 2013. (Nate Barrett/Emerald)
Utah’s Erin Redd-Brandon (17) prepares a spike during the second set. The Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Matt Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 20, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Junior middle blocker Serena Warner launches herself into the air and pulls back for spike. The Oregon Ducks take on the Utah Utes at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 19, 2013. (Nate Barrett/Emerald)
Oregon’s Natalie Bookout Gonzalez prepares to serve during the first set. The Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Matt Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 20, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon middle blocker Ariana Williams is introduced to the crowd during pre-game warmups. The Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Matt Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 20, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
A Utah spike sails past the outstretched arms of Oregon players Shellsy Ashen (16) and Ariana Williams (7). The Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Matt Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 20, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon’s Martenne Bettendorf spikes the ball during the first set. The Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Matt Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 20, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon middle blocker Ariana Williams spikes the ball during the first set. The Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Matt Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 20, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon head coach Jim Moore Oregon and assistant coach Stacy Metro shout instructions to their players during the first set. The Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Matt Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 20, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon middle blocker Ariana Williams (7) pokes the ball over the net during the second set. The Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Matt Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 20, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
An Oregon fan watches the overhead screen during the Kiss Cam segment. The Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Matt Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 20, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon sophomore outside hitter Martenne Bettendorf (18) attempts a spike through Utah defenders. The Oregon Ducks take on the Utah Utes at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 19, 2013. (Nate Barrett/Emerald)
The Oregon Ducks take on the Utah Utes at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 19, 2013. (Nate Barrett/Emerald)