Netters labeled heavy underdog against Pacific By Brent Paz Of the Emerald Oddsmakers say Oregon will not beat University of Pacific, the second-ranked team in the nation, tonight in the opening round of the NorPac Conference volleyball playoffs in Stockton, Calif. But then, oddsmakers didn't think Oregon had a prayer against Portland State University, San lose State University or Texas — three top-ranked teams that fell to the Ducks this season. Oregon, 24-167, will be looking to add Pacific to that list tonight. The winner advances to the tournament final Saturday night while the loser plays for third place. "We are going for the major upset of the year," says Oregon coach Chris Voelz. Oregon faces a 30-2 Pacific squad that dismantled it earlier in the year. Pacific swept the Ducks in three games, 15-8, 15-8, 15-3 at Mi Arthur Court. This time, says Voelz, "we will have to play a cat and mouse of fense. We will try to put them (shots) where they (the Tigers) are not." Pacific boasts no less than six All-American candidates. The Tiger attack centers around All American setter )an Saunders. Saunders usually feeds outside hitters Robin Burns and Eileen Dempster. Julie Maginot and Lisa Franco also will pose big pro blems for the Ducks. "There is not anybody who is that vulnerable," Voelz says of Pacific's starters. "We just hope that they will stay in low enough gear, long enough, so we can sneak up on them." Oregon counters the Pacific bar rage with the trio of Sue Harbour, Lisa Cemoya and Cathy Hill. Har bour finished as the NorPac leader in kills (185) and kills averaged per game (20.6); she comes off a big game against PSU (31 kills). Gemoya sets up most of Harbour's kills, and co-captain Hill is second on the team with 243 kills. All three will have to be at their best if Oregon is to defeat Pacific. "We are definitely the under dogs," says Hill, but the senior adds that "nobody is unbeatable." "I think we are definitely capable of taking a couple games off of them, if not winning," says Harbour."There isn't that much of a difference between first and fourth place." That remains to be seen, but Pacific has a ghost hanging over its head. The Tigers lost to an unheralded University of Califor nia team in last year's tournament final. (r (2e*t&uil Lincoln-Mercury Low Rental Rates for fully equipped Mercury Cars •FWD Lynx and Topaz By Day-Week-Month (Weekend-Holiday Rates Even Lower) 1711 Willamette 342-6161 Open daily ‘till 9 Sat. & Sun. ‘till 7 Lotsa gifts & free gift wrap at your Bookstore. ANDERSON'S SNIAGRAB® SKI SALE I NOV. 18 ja on ii FRIDAY 12-9 P.M. HEAD SKIS SL&GS Reg. $275 NOW *190 ^SATLiRDAaY 12-6 P.M. sOK&a2? 12-5 P.M.r IGEZEI PRECISION SKIS ?=E >REC 40% OFF GRIPON SKI POLES M295 SEV BINDINGS Reg. $160.00 $7Q95 XL50 BOOTS Reg. $190 NOW SALOMON Reg $84 9S 326 BINDINGS 3 *84 95 NOW $499S LOOK SKI POLES $ 14®5 Jackets & Parkas Men’s & Women’s 30% ..60% OFF o Foam AFTER SKI BOOTS Other Skis & Boot A t GREA T SA VINGS! ONLY *14®* ONLY $goo Junior SKI PARKAS NOW 1/2 PRICE •j TBAK gorc-tex XC BOOTS Reg. $65 NOW $3250 'ROSS COUNTRY Cheyenne harvey fox's °ther XC boo from $12.95 Prices all sales final no layaways SPORTING *UGEN£ c - good at Fairgrounds onl CORVALLIS . ALBANY SALEM