The 2024 Oregon volleyball season featured a veteran-laden team, with seven seniors or fifth-year players. Notably, this count did not include senior Onye Ofoegbu, who took a redshirt last season to ensure playing time this year. This experienced core played a significant role in the Ducks advancing to their second consecutive Elite Eight. However, it also meant the 2024 squad would be younger overall.
Recognizing the need for experience, head coach Matt Ulmer utilized the transfer portal to bring in some upperclassmen. Senior outside hitter Michelle Ohwebete, senior libero Mackenzie Morris, and junior setter Roberta Purashaj joined the team. Despite these additions, the Ducks were still relatively young, with only four seniors and seven freshmen or redshirt freshmen on the roster.
Oregon opened the season with a challenging match against the Pittsburgh Panthers, who entered and remained the nation’s top-ranked team throughout the season. The Ducks struggled in the first set, partly due to early-season adjustments and rotation experimentation. However, they improved in the next two sets, though they couldn’t avoid a sweep.
The Ducks rebounded by winning the rest of their non-conference games. Their only ranked opponent besides Pitt was BYU, ranked #17 at the time and finishing at #24. Oregon’s non-conference schedule wasn’t as aggressive as the previous season, likely in anticipation of a grueling Big Ten conference slate.
Against Big Ten opponents, Oregon couldn’t overcome the top-10 teams they faced. They were swept by #2 Penn State and #3 Nebraska, lost in four sets to #7 Wisconsin, and fell in five sets to #9 Purdue.
However, the Ducks defeated nearly every other opponent, with the exception of five-set losses to Washington and USC.
Their struggles typically stemmed from inconsistent serve/receive play. Nonetheless, Oregon showed improvement throughout the season, thanks in part to the development of freshman setter Cristin Cline, who lived up to her highly regarded recruit status with marked progress.
Oregon finished the regular season ranked #14 and secured a bid to the NCAA Tournament, making their fifth consecutive appearance. For the third year in a row, the Ducks hosted the first two rounds in Eugene, facing Hawai’i, High Point, and TCU. They swept High Point and defeated TCU in four sets.
Advancing to the Sweet 16 for the third straight season, the Ducks once again faced #1 Pitt. Oregon performed much better than in their season opener, pushing the Panthers to five sets but ultimately falling short. Their season ended with a 24-8 overall record (14-6 in the Big Ten).
With only four seniors graduating, Oregon returns most of its roster for 2025. Key returners include Mimi Colyer and Colby Neal, who will be seniors, as well as Cristin Cline and Noemie Glover. Fans can also expect to see more of promising freshmen Bella Gamache, Mia Tvrdy, and Sophie Gregoire.
Coach Ulmer will likely target the transfer portal to address key needs. The Ducks will lose standout libero Mackenzie Morris and defensive specialist Daley McClellan, leaving significant gaps in the back row. Additionally, adding a couple of taller outside hitters, opposites, or middle blockers will be crucial, similar to what Kara McGhee and Gabby Gonzales provided last year. While four of this year’s freshmen are 5’11” and Gregoire is the tallest at 6’1”, more height would strengthen the roster.
Expect an active offseason as Ulmer works to build on this season’s success and prepare for another competitive year.
Oregon Volleyball 2024 Season Review
