GARRETT WAIT
Sports Editor
In the season’s first matchup of the No.-1 and No.-2 teams in the nation, the Pepperdine and Brigham Young University men’s volleyball teams split a two-game standoff in Provo, Utah, over the weekend.
Pepperdine, who came into the weekend as the top-ranked team in the nation, boasted a 12-match winning streak dating back to the 2005 season. However, the streak came to a screeching halt at the hands of the Cougars on Friday night in front of a huge BYU crowd.
The Waves were handed a 3-1 defeat in stunning fashion. Pepperdine dominated the first game of the match, cruising to a 30-20 victory, but that would be the last time the Waves tasted victory in the match as BYU stormed back to win the final three games, 30-28, 30-22, 30-21.
Pepperdine Head Coach Marv Dunphy said the match came down to a momentum shift in the second game, when the Waves couldn’t capitalize on some of their opportunities.
“In game two, we had a few chances,” Dunphy said. “We just didn’t take care of ball and they played pretty well. That game could have gone either way. Games three and four, (BYU) played great. It just seemed like everything went their way.”
Pepperdine junior John Parfitt led three Waves with double figure kill totals, smashing home 17 kills. Freshman Paul Carroll added 13 kills and senior middle blocker Andy Hein notched 10 kills on a .421 hitting percentage. Sophomore setter Jonathan Winder contributed 43 assists on the night.
BYU’s Ivan Perez led all players with 21 kills as the Cougars out hit Pepperdine .305-.227.
The second match of the weekend saw Pepperdine make a few adjustments and take a 3-0 victory in Provo. The Waves and Cougars battled in three close games, with Pepperdine coming out victorious, 30-28, 30-28, 32-30.
As in the first match, Parfitt led the Waves in kills. However, the junior was held to just 12 kills on the night while Hein, who had 10 kills, was the only other Wave in double digits. Winder had 42 assists for the Waves. Dunphy said it was a case of the Waves stepping up during key moments that won the match for them.
“I think we received serve better in the second match,” Dunphy said. “We were just steadier. It turns out that we made the big plays in that match. We had to come back in all those games and we managed to do it.”
In both matches, the Waves outblocked their opponents by a wide margin, but Dunphy said the numbers were a little bit deceiving.
“We did a nice job blocking both nights,” Dunphy said. “The first night we had too many hitting errors and when a team hits it out they don’t get blocked which explains the numbers. We got a pretty good bead on them, though. There wasn’t anything magical. Tom Hulse did a nice job blocking and so did Winder. Our team got some really key blocks especially on their big guys in that last game.”
Pepperdine stifled BYU’s Perez, allowing him just seven kills in the match, but gave up 20 kills to Yosleyder Cala, a member of the Cuban National team. Dunphy was impressed with the big Cuban’s ability and the energy he brought to both matches.
“They have that big 6-8 Cuban who defected, he played really well,” Dunphy said. “He really elevated the level of play for everybody on their team. He’s going to be a force. He didn’t start the first match because he just got eligible, they started with another guy in there, but when they got down and tight they put him in and he really played well.”
Dunphy said he was excited about the matches and the crowds both nights in Provo.
“Those were two really hard fought matches in a great environment,” Dunphy said. “They were sold out both nights. They turned away hundreds of people, especially the first night. The next night was sold out too. We got there two hours before match on Friday and there were people already outside. It was just a really good atmosphere for college volleyball.”
The Waves’ next match is tonight at 7 against Hawaii. The battle is part of a two-match set against the Warriors that will conclude Friday at 7 p.m. in Firestone Fieldhouse. Dunphy said he thinks Hawaii could be the toughest team the Waves play all season.
“We just talked to the team and told them they’ll be the best team we play this year,” Dunphy said. “Their best player has been out, but we expect him to play. They’re leading the nation in team hitting percentage. They’re way ahead of every body in our league on the offensive end. They’ve got everybody back from last season and they’re real smooth. Nothing against the other teams we’ve played, but they’re the smoothest.”
02-09-2006