The Barometer Online

Issue date: 12/5/08 Section: Sports

It started out as a very promising season. A few new faces teamed up with now-seasoned sophomores and a group of veterans, ready to put the 2007 season behind and make a name for Oregon State volleyball by pushing for a NCAA Tournament berth.

"I think overall it was a great success," senior libero Ashley Evans said. "We had the most wins we've had in a while. We upset a number of teams, the team improved and to be ranked in the Top 25 is a great accomplishment."

The promising season began as it should have with five straight wins to open the year. OSU (14-17, 3-15 Pac-10) swept the first four teams they met before edging out Pacific 3-2 in the fifth match of the year. After dropping back-to-back matches, OSU began a second streak.

Winning three straight in the Portland State Volleyball Showcase, the Beavers returned home for an exhibition match against Zhejiang Club Team, from Zhejiang, China. The talented club team was unable to get a win against OSU, who took the 3-2 victory.

Heading to Milwaukee, Wis., the Beavers were set to meet a tough tournament field including then-No. 13 Wisconsin. Oregon State took a 3-2 match off the Badgers before defeating Marquette and Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

The strong non-conference run left Oregon State confident of a potential tournament berth and put the Beavers in the minds of the volleyball world as they began to receive votes in the Top 25.

"We had a really good pre-season and start to the Pac-10 season," freshman defensive specialist Betsy Devich said. "We had some really big wins and proved to ourselves that we can play like that."

After being swept by both then-No. 6 Stanford and then-No. 8 California, OSU opened their home Pac-10 season with a 3-2 win over then-No. 4 USC. After dropping a match to then-No. 5 UCLA, the Beavers were rewarded for their strong play with entry to the Top 25.

Continued...

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