After two consecutive appearances in the Elite Eight for the first time in program history, the Oregon volleyball team will make a new kind of history in 2024 when it competes in its inaugural season in the Big Ten Conference this fall.
The Ducks had seven seniors emerge from an Elite Eight team a year ago – all of whom went on to play pros – and now they will debut in the Big Ten with a new squad.
Coach Matt Ulmer is happy with what he sees from his group so far.
“We’re just trying to find answers to where people are going to go so we can fill some of the gaps,” Ulmer said after a practice game on Saturday.
The void left by veteran players like Hannah Pukis, Karson Bacon and Morgan Lewis will be filled by a young group that has realized what it means to reach the Elite Eight two years in a row from the bench and is eager to carve out their own roles on the floor this season.
The Ducks’ early leaders include junior Mimi Colyer, a former national freshman of the year, and Onye Ofoegbu, who transferred from UC Irvine before last season but was ineligible to play in 2023.
After patiently waiting for her chance on the bench, Ofoegbu could have a great season for Oregon in 2024.
“I thought it was going to be really difficult because I’d never been on the bench in my career, but it was really easy,” Ofoegbu said of last season. “It was so encouraging and inspiring to watch our team from last year play. I’ve learned to stay composed and calm in these big games… it can be tough, but we can handle it.”
It also helps to have experienced transfer players like seniors Michelle Ohwobete (UC Santa Barbara) and Mackenzie Morris (Kansas State) and junior Roberta Purashaj (Florida Southwestern).
In addition to the debut of a new group, the Ducks are also excited to compete in the NCAA’s premier volleyball league. Since 2000, 11 Big Ten teams have won a national championship, not counting the new teams added to the league (Oregon, Washington, USC and UCLA).
That prestige, along with the huge crowds that flock to Big Ten women’s volleyball competitions, has given Oregon new energy ahead of the season.
“I’m so excited,” Colyer said. “The Big Ten is so great and we’re so excited to be a part of it just because they put so much emphasis on women’s volleyball. I’m really excited to go to these new places, they’re packed. The Big Ten is so excited about women’s volleyball and they’re really starting to learn about it and I’m excited to be a part of it.”
The Ducks will unofficially open their season next Saturday with an exhibition matchup against Oregon State in Corvallis before making their official season debut on August 30 at Matthew Knight Arena against Pittsburgh – likely one of the preseason’s top 10 opponents.
Alec Dietz covers football, volleyball, women’s basketball and baseball at the University of Oregon for The Register-Guard. You can reach him at [email protected] and you can follow him on X @AlecDietz.
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