It was a lengthy match for No.-3 men’s volleyball on Thursday March 19 as the team battled through five games to defeat No.-4 USC at the Galen Center 30-28 27-30 30-25 27-30 and 15-10. This was the Waves’ second victory against the Trojans this season.
“I have faith in our team that we are going to win whether it goes to four or five games said junior libero Sean Grubbs. You get that intense fifth game experience and to win that always feels awesome.”
In the first game senior outside hitter Matt McKee had three kills in a row putting the Waves up 7-3. An additional three kills this time by senior opposite Paul Carroll pushed the score to 10-4. A big roof by sophomore middle blocker Tyler Jaynes increased the Waves’ lead to nine points 13-6. Eventually the Trojans found their rhythm and managed to tie the game at 27. McKee took an over pass and slammed it down for the lead at 29-27 and Pepperdine won the game 30-28 on a service error by USC.
The second game started off rough for the Waves as they committed three attacking errors in a row. But Pepperdine didn’t let down and they hammered out four consecutive kills two by McKee and one each by both junior middle blocker Rodnei Santos and Carroll. However USC kept it close and ran away with the last couple of points winning the game and tying the match at 1.
Pepperdine was in control of the third game until the score reached double digits. The Trojans took a 21-20 lead but the deficit was short-lived as McKee scored four of the next five points to put his team on top. Santos hammered down the ball for the game point 30-25.
The Waves had several chances to win the match throughout the fourth game. At 21-18 USC committed several errors to give Pepperdine a 23-22 lead. Junior outside hitter Brent Schirripa then entered the game and had a massive kill that put Pepperdine up by two 24-22. The Trojans battled back to win 30-27 forcing a fifth game but Schirripa said he wasn’t worried about the outcome.
“The fifth game I was really confident Schirripa said. I play with the mindset that we are going to win every game.”
With the game tied at 2 the Waves scored three consecutive points to jump ahead. At 8-5 McKee delivered an impressive one-handed dig to Carroll who hammered it down for a four-point advantage. Soon Pepperdine threw down three more points pushing the victory out of USC’s reach. A kill by Carroll ended the match with the Waves on top 15-10.
Carroll had 31 kills and McKee added 19 kills and four solo blocks that pumped up the team. Carroll also had a career-high 18 digs and McKee hit double figures with 10 digs.
“We had a team high and passed the best we ever have through out this whole season Grubbs said.
Sixty-five assists was awarded easily to sophomore setter Kasey Crider as he helped his team build up a strong hitting percentage. Santos contributed with nine kills and eight blocks. The Waves will take on No.-9 UC San Diego tonight and No.-6 Long Beach State on Saturday at Firestone Fieldhouse. Both matches are scheduled for 7 p.m.