Aug. 26, 2005

Box Score

EUGENE, Ore. - The Gonzaga University volleyball team got off to a rough start to open the 2005 season as they dropped the season opening match to the University of Oregon on Friday afternoon. Gonzaga lost to the host Ducks 3-0 during the first match of the Oregon Kickoff Classic at McArthur Court falling 30-23, 30-26, 30-24.

Sophomore Briawna Mueller was the Bulldogs top offensive player finishing with 9 of the team's 31 kills as the Gonzaga offense was sluggish all afternoon combining for a .062 attack percentage. Setter Heather Dunn passed out only 10 assists as only four GU players finished with 5 or more kills. Freshman Paige Dillingham was one of the bright spots connecting for a .400 attack percentage with 5 kills on 10 attempts with one attack error.

Oregon's offense was the quite the opposite as the Ducks combined for 50 team kills and a .248 attack percentage. Kelly Russell led all players with 19 kills on 32 attacks with no errors for a .594 hitting clip. Mira Djuric also finished in double figures with 12 kills. Oregon was also able to control play at the net with 22 team blocks compared to only six for the Bulldogs. Erin Little and Russell each had five blocks while Paige Dillingham was the Zags top blocker with three blocks, two of them solos.

Katie Swoboda led all players with 15 digs for UO, Jessica Herrera was the Bulldogs leader with 11 digs. Djuric also picked up four service aces for Oregon as the Ducks won that category 7-6.

Gonzaga returns to action later Friday evening for a match against South Dakota State University. The Bulldogs conclude tournament action on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. against Portland State University.