For Oregon volleyball, the 2013 season hasn’t started out as strongly as expected. The Ducks were 4-3 entering the Fresno State Classic this weekend, their last non-conference games until Pac-12 play begins September 25th.

Oregon opened Friday night against Cal State Bakersfield and won in straight sets. The first set was dead even. Bakersfield edged Oregon in kills 17-15 and made fewer attack errors, but the Ducks won the set 25-23. The Roadrunners led most of the way until the Ducks took their first lead of the set 14-13 on an ace by Shellsy Ashen. From then on Oregon wouldn’t look back. They maintained a lead over Bakersfield until Debora Araujo came through with a kill to tie it at 23 a side. Consecutive errors by Bakersfield gave Oregon the first set.

The second set was just as back and forth. Oregon dominated in kills 18-12 and squeaked out the 25-22 win. The Roadrunners led 17-13 late in the set, but Oregon came storming back, winning seven of 11 points to tie it at 20. Tied at 22, a kill by Martenne Bettendorf, an ace by Ariana Williams and a Lauren Plum block gave the Ducks their second consecutive set.

Oregon committed eight attack errors in the final set but still came through and won 25-18, completing the three-set sweep of Bakersfield (5-3). The Ducks (5-3) were in control for most of the third set, holding a lead as large as 21-16.

Plum recorded 36 of Oregon’s 41 assists Friday, bringing her season total to 287. The reigning national leader in assists and Pac-12 setter of the year also led the team with 10 digs and recorded five kills on the night. Williams led the Ducks in kills with 12 and had two service aces.

Oregon will resume play Saturday against Belmont at 10 a.m. and then again at 7:30 p.m. against tournament hosts Fresno State.