GARRETT WAIT
Sports Editor
The Pepperdine men’s volleyball team made a valiant comeback Thursday, March 30, against an athletic Cal Baptist University team to snap a two-match losing skid. However, California State University Northridge handed the fifth-ranked Waves a 3-0 defeat Wednesday night.
Against Cal Baptist, the Waves started off slow, as the defending NAIA champs took it to the defending NCAA champs with an athleticism unrivaled by most NCAA foes. Pepperdine Head Coach Marv Dunphy said the Lancers’ athletic outside hitters “absolutely” gave the Waves problems in the first game.
After losing the first game, 27-30, Pepperdine stormed back to capture the final three games, 30-25, 30-27, 30-28.
Pepperdine freshman Paul Carroll led the team in hitting, pounding out 19 kills on a .455 hitting percentage. Junior John Parfitt and senior middle blocker Andy Hein added 15 kills apiece as the Waves out-hit the Lancers .311-.254.
Carroll’s stellar performance, one of many the Aussie freshman has had this season, made his coach proud.
“He’s carried a big load this season, and we expect him to carry an even bigger load in years to come,” Dunphy said.
The 6-8 outside hitter has taken over jersey No.-12, previously worn by last season’s American Volleyball Coaches’ Association player of the year, Sean Rooney as well as assistant coach Scott Wong.
“He’s in good company there,” Dunphy said.
Pepperdine traveled to Cal State Northridge on Wednesday night only to be swept by the fourth-ranked Matadors, 30-22, 30-28, 30-26. The Waves had just two players tally double figures in kills. Parfitt notched 11 kills while Carroll had 10.
Before the match, Dunphy said the Waves would have a tough time with the Matadors if they didn’t take care of the ball when they were serving.
“They’re really hot right now,” Dunphy said. “They beat Long Beach for the second time in two weeks. They beat UCLA. They’ve won seven or eight matches in a row. I don’t mean to beat a dead horse, but we’re going to have to serve and pass well to win.”
The Waves had 16 service errors in defeat, but made only two errors when they received serve. They also had 45 digs to the Matadors’ 35 but couldn’t contain CSUN’s Dan Rhodes, who had 19 kills.
Pepperdine finishes the season with two home matches. The Waves will host UC Santa Barbara on Saturday at 7 p.m. in Firestone Fieldhouse and then a week later will have a rematch against University of Southern California with a chance to get revenge on both teams for losses earlier in the season.
04-06-2006