After four straight conference loses the Waves are looking more determined than ever following last week’s sweep of LMU 30 (25-13 25-21 25-13). The Lions (12-12 2-8) were prey to the Waves’ crushing offense. Pepperdine ended the 76-minute game with their second best hitting percentage of the season at .434.
“We have worked real hard these past couple weeks on our serving and setting in practice Head Coach Nina Matthies said. (Kealohilani) Kea now has some more experience and she continues to get better at setting every match.”
Throughout the entire match the Lions never once had the lead. With hard defense coming from the Waves the Lions ended the three game set with a hitting percentage of .154. In fact in the last set Pepperdine held LMU to a .000 hitting percentage.
The Waves saw solid performances from all their players especially senior outside hitter Julie Rubenstein and freshman middle blocker Kim Hill who both combined for 27 kills without a single error. Rubenstein collected a match high 16 kills and a .640 (16-0-25) hitting percentage along with seven digs and four blocks. Hill combined for 11 kills and four blocks with a hitting percentage of .647 (11-0-17).
“We started off our season the kind of way we played against LMU Rubenstein said. We have had some struggles but I think we are back in our groove.”
In the first set the Waves got off to a 14-4 lead and never looked back. With two service aces coming from junior outside hitter Rachel Lumsden and two kills from senior middle blocker Cassi Chamberlain the Waves quickly sealed the first game.
“We want to put early pressure on our opponents Matthies said. We want to force the other team to turn things around. We started off our sets strong against LMU and everything after that went really well.”
In the second set Hill’s two kills and block assist contributed to a Waves 7-2 start. The Lions attempted to make a comeback but only got the score within two points 9-7 until the Waves decided to regain the momentum. Two points would be as close as the Lions would ever get after Rubenstein’s six kills would lead the Waves to a .345 hitting percentage and another set win.In the last set the Waves jumped off to a 5-0 start. After a short push by the Lions the Waves went on a 10-1 run led by Chamberlain and freshman outside hitter Lilla Frederick who added three kills apiece. LMU couldn’t climb out of the hole and were finished off on yet another kill by Frederick.
“We are playing like we were at the beginning of the season Frederick said. We have more energy and fight now. We also have bonded closer as a team and I think we we’re all tired of losing.”
Besides the amazing numbers posted by Rubenstein and Hill a cast of other players helped the Waves to victory. Sophomore setter Kealohilani Kea had 43 assists Frederick ended with nine kills and 10 digs Lumsden had nine kills and seven digs Chamberlain added six kills and freshman libero Stevi Robinson had a match-high 17 digs.
Overall the Waves seemed to have rediscovered an energy and determination they were missing in their previous four straight losses.
“Throughout a season it’s difficult to keep up at our level of play from the beginning of the year Matthies said. With three freshman starters school work and travel there always comes a dip. We’ve experienced ours (dip) and I think we’re over it. Everyone is excited and ready to go.”
The Waves now head north to face Portland (tonight) and Gonzaga (Saturday).
“It’s another road match with lots of away crowd fans against us Rubenstein said. It’s important for us to stay together as a team this week. We are looking for two great wins.”
The Waves are definitely looking to keep the energy rolling as they face these two conference rivalries. Matthies said it should be fun.
“It’s always a great trip Matthies said. There are great crowds and there’s obviously a different atmosphere. We are all looking forward to this trip. Both these teams play well at home and we know that and I believe we are prepared.”