New month, same heartbreak for Oregon Ducks fans. It was not enough that they were still recovering from the shock of losing their head coach, Matt Ulmer, to Kansas City after eight years. Fun fact: Nebraska Huskers felt the shake too—John Cook stepped away and retired, only for Dani Busboom Kelly to step in as the new head coach. But no worries, Oregon isn’t left hanging either! They just brought in a fresh face—Trent Kersten, the 2024 WCC Coach of the Year, is stepping up to lead the Ducks.
With a solid 45-12 record at LMU, a WCC championship, and an NCAA Tournament run under his belt, he’s got the chops. Still, the sting lingers. One by one, Oregon’s star players are flying the nest, and the latest departure? Yet another standout is packing her bags to reunite with her sister. The heartbreak just doesn’t stop for the Oregon Ducks.
Lincoln Arneal took to X on February 4 to shine a spotlight on a major Ducks departure, resharing Sun Devil Volleyball’s big announcement. “It’s official! Welcome to the Sun Devil family, Colby Neal,” the post read, confirming that the former Oregon Ducks’ standout is heading to Arizona State.
After four years as a Duck, the graduate middle blocker is set to spend her final season as a Sun Devil—right alongside her younger sister, Jillian Neal. Arneal added his own take on the move, making it clear just how impactful Neal was for Oregon Ducks last season.
“Former Oregon middle blocker Colby Neal lands at Arizona State to play with her sister. She averaged 1.06 kills and 1.16 blocks per set for the Ducks last year.” Colby Neal is switching things up for her final season, ready to dominate the court alongside her sister!
Former Oregon middle blocker Colby Neal lands at Arizona State to play with her sister. She averaged 1.06 kills and 1.16 blocks per set for the Ducks last year. https://t.co/NFs88IB9GW
— Lincoln Arneal (@Lincoln_VB) February 4, 2025
She played four seasons; 68 matches, 229 blocks, and 237 kills; yes, she left her mark at Oregon. But 2024? That was her real glow-up. As a result of her performance, she featured in all the 32 matches that helped the Ducks to progress to the NCAA Regional Semifinals. Even in her high school years, she was making the rounds—rated 88th on the PrepVolleyball Top 150, Class of 2021.
She was not just any middle blocker but the fourth best in California, the twelfth in the state of California and the twenty-second in the entire United States as a middle blocker. But this isn’t the only heartbreak that Oregon Ducks have faced!
Oregon Ducks loses other star players!
This story is developing…
The post Oregon Ducks’ Heartbreak Continues as Another Volleyball Star Leaves Program to Reunite With Her Sister appeared first on EssentiallySports.
