Oregon University is probably feeling it right now! Earlier today, Lincoln Arneal of Huskers Illustrated dropped some big news–Matt Ulmer, after eight years with the Ducks, is moving on to Kansas to be the new volleyball coach. Ulmer departs with a 166-77 record and seven trips to the postseason with three regional finals at Oregon. Also, he was able to win a beach volleyball title at Long Beach State in 2013. But wait–just when it appeared that things were getting back to normal, Oregon is hit with some huge transfer news in the wake of Ulmer’s exit. Well, well, well… seems like Oregon University volleyball team has some serious ups and downs awaiting them in the season.

Lincoln Arneal hit up X on January 17 and dropped some news that shook Oregon University to its core. He said, “Two-time All-American Mimi Colyer has committed to Wisconsin. The 6-foot-3 outside hitter averaged 3.97 kills and 2.19 per set for Oregon last season. She was the 2022 National Freshman of the Year and has one season of eligibility left.” Talk about a game-changer! Mimi’s heading to Wisconsin, and Oregon’s definitely feeling it now!

Even Abby Barmore, the Nebraska staff writer for @HuskerOnline and @On3Sports, couldn’t believe it! She hopped on X and shared the news with everyone, “Wow. Oregon star outside hitter Mimi Colyer is transferring to Wisconsin. Head coach Matt Ulmer announced he will coach Kansas after 8 years at Oregon. Colyer decided to move on too.” Talk about a double whammy! Ulmer’s off to Kansas, and now Oregon’s losing one of its top players, Mimi Colyer, who’s making the move to Wisconsin.

Mimi Colyer had an absolutely killer season in 2023, no doubt about it. She started all 35 matches, one of just four players to play in all 126 sets that year. She most certainly led the Ducks; she had 471 kills and a score per set of 4.43; good enough to land her in the top four in the Pac-12. And she scored 13 double-doubles. Yeah, she was just on fire. She made some personal achievements, such as achieving a record in digs at 302 and service aces at 44 and ranking an equal fourth in the Pac-12 in aces. And of course there are those 14 games with 15+ kills, and four games with over 20 kills.

She also became the 22nd player in the history of the University of Oregon to get 1,000 career kills. Her season was so strong, she even received the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week after she dominated the Rainbow Wahine Classic. So yeah, Oregon University is feeling this one. But, plot twist! But Mimi is not the only star player who has left OU since last year. In 2024, another star player brought changes for the Ducks!

Oregon University faces another blow!

On January 12, 2024, TCU’s head coach, Jason Williams, made it official, announcing the signing of Becca Kelley from Oregon University to join their 2024 volleyball roster. Coach Williams couldn’t be more excited about the move, saying, “We are beyond excited to have Becca coming back home. She is an elite terminator with a big arm. Her experience with USA Volleyball will help us immediately, and her fun and vibrant personality is something we are looking forward to as well.”

Well, Becca isn’t new to the big moments. She was a total package for USA Volleyball; she won gold in the 2023 FIVB U19 World Championship as part of the 2023 Girls U19 National Team. Also, she was awarded the most valuable player in the USA Volleyball All-Star Championship Division! At 6-3, the outside hitter has already made a name for herself. She also guided her team to a Texas 6A regional semifinal, and did I mention that she set the Rockwall record with an unbelievable 40 kills in a match? Yeah, you read that right—40.

With her insane stats, Becca earned all sorts of honors, including AVCA First Team High School All-America in 2022 and Junior Volleyball Association All-America status. So now, with the roster flip and coach exit, Oregon University is really feeling the sting of losing not just a coach, but Mimi too. What do you think about this shake-up? Let us know in the comments!