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Thursday, October 23,2003
Setting for the future
Heather Madison deals with
a reduced roll at the collegiate
level in her first season with UO
By Jon Roetman
Sports Reporter
When Heather Madison wrapped up her
prep volleyball career at Gresham High
School last year, she was on top of the world.
After leading the Gophers to their second
consecutive state title, the senior setter re
ceived first-team All-American and Oregon
player of the year honors.
Now a freshman at Oregon, circum
stances beyond her control have introduced
Madison to a different world. A world feared
by athletes with her
court credentials. A
world so cold and
lonely that once one
arrives, they fear they
may never get back.
Athletes general
ly refer to this world as the bench.
With sophomore lodi Bell firmly en
trenched as the setter in the Oregon of
fense, Madison must watch patiently until
head coach Carl Ferreira can incorporate
her talents into the Ducks' system.
"It's really frustrating not being able to
contribute," Madison said. "Sometimes I
feel insignificant."
With a hallowed prep career, Madison
drew attention from the likes of USC,
Ohio State and Notre Dame. But a chance
to be part of a team that could turn the
Oregon volleyball program around was
too much to pass.
"1 wanted to be part of history and a part
of the team that brings Oregon through,"
Madison said. "That would be rewarding
even if I'm not recognized at all. Maybe in
the future, if Oregon stays on top, I'll know
that I was part of that."
Madison's decision to come to Oregon
wasn't just volleyball related. She devel
oped a relationship with Ferreira and as
sistant coach Keith Rubio, which made her
DUCK
VOLLEYBALL
believe the coaches had her best interests
at heart off the court as well.
"It was both Keith and Carl that really at
tracted me," Madison said. "What was dif
ferent about it was they cared about me
more as a person. They knew that 1 was a
good volleyball player, but I just knew that
if I were to choose coming (to Oregon),
they'd be concerned with my growth as a
person."
One issue that concerned Madison was
how she would fit into the Ducks' offense.
She knew how talented Bell was. The two
had faced each other during high school and
club volleyball seasons.
Madison didn't want to sit on the bench
or play a different position for three years
while she waited for Bell to graduate.
"It's great to play (defensive specialist),
but 1 want to set," Madison said. "I'm not
trying to be selfish, but I've been training to
do that my whole life. That's my identity,
and I want to play my position."
The Ducks currently run a 5-1 offense,
which features five attackers and one setter.
Ferreira had hoped to switch to a 6-2 of
fense, which features six attackers while ro
tating setters, but said Oregon doesn't pos
sess the depth at the attacking positions
necessary to run the 6-2 scheme.
Ferreira added that Madison isn't happy
about her reduced roll but has handled the
situation well.
"You do some soul searching when you're
so used to having an active role in the suc
cess of your program," terreira said of Madi
son. "But there's a lot of collegiate athletes in
the (Pacific-10 Conference) that are where
they come from, (but go through) a first
year adjustment phase."
The majority of Madison's playing time
this season has been as a defensive special
ist, but during practice, Bell and Madison
give each other tips on setting.
"We've both learned so much from each
other," Bell said. "I've learned so much
from her work ethic. I've had a year under
my belt so I try to help her with her deci
sion making."
Turn to VOLLEYBALL, page 14
Adam Amato Photo Editor
Heather Madison has had to transition from All-American setter to playing a reserve role.
Werdell forced to sit out game
after ruling forces her ejection
Mark McCambridge Photographer
Senior defender Lindsey Werdell (right) likes to get physical in
her games. The team captain received a red card last weekend.
In a controversial call that
Oregon disagreed with,
Werdell received her first
ever red card this weekend
By Jesse Thomas
Sports Reporter
In soccer, a red card is the worst
penalty a player can receive.
It is given to a player by the offi
cial for flagrant misconduct, which
results in ejection from the game
and a suspension from the next
scheduled game.
Senior de
- fender Lind
12 tiCK sey Werddl
was given a
red card in
Friday's game
against
Washington State, and she's not hap
py about it.
'Totally uncalled for, I'm still upset
about it" Werdell said. "It was the worst
call I think I've ever seen a ref make."
Washington State's Shelby Brown
field was on a break away toward the
goal in Friday's game, according to an
Oregon release. Brownfield was
slightly ahead of the Oregon defense
but Werdell was dose and to her side.
Werdell said she slid with the inten
tion to go for the ball but not to take
Brownfield down.
"They call it a professional foul,"
Werdell said. "Somebody's on a break
away and you don't, like, take them
out, but you make sure they're not go
ing to score."
It was Werdell's first career card.
Referees can also give yellow cards but
they only carry the penalty of a cau
tion for a dangerous play, and the
player is not ejected.
"I was totally surprised they gave
me a red," Werdell said. "I expected a
foul outside the box, maybe a yellow
card at most. He just ran straight up to
me and gave me a red card, and then
he called a free kick outside the box."
The free lack was awarded to Wash
ington State. Senior Rachel Rodrick
converted on the opportunity to score
the final goal of the game. The
Cougars won 2-0.
Werdell had to sit out of the Wash
ington game on Sunday because of
the penalty. She has yet to review the
tape to see if the call was legitimate.
Werdell may decide to appeal the call,
Turn to SOCCER, page 14
Hectic summer
helps UO women
prepare for year
The women’s basketball team had a
busy summer, including five surgeries
and one player in the Pan-Am Games
By Mindi Rice
Senior Sports Reporter
Most of the Oregon women's basketball team spent the sum
mer bonding.
A few of the players had summer activities that took them out
of Eugene, but most of them stayed together and trained with
each other.
"I think it helped that a lot of us were here over the summer
to work on that team chemistry and do
that team building and all that stuff,"
point guard Corrie Mizusawa said. "That
really helps with getting the freshmen in
and helping them leam the program."
- Three freshmen — Ashley Allen, Ci
cely Oaks and Jessica Shetters —
moved to Eugene at the beginning of the summer to take class
es and train with their teammates.
It was the best experience," Allen said. "I recommend it to
anyone — to everyone — to all the athletes. It gives you a
chance to know your teammates, your coaches, the style of
play. Also, you're not so overwhelmed with the school work,
you know what to expect. Once the year gets here, you know
where you're going and you know where your classes are."
WOMEN’S
BASKETBALL
Turn to BASKETBALL, page 14