It might have seemed a normal and easy win for the No. 1 Pepperdine men’s volleyball team last night against Grand Canyon University a school debuting its second season of men’s volleyball but there was something very special about this home match.
Not only was it the seventh consecutive win of the season but it was also the 499th career victory for Head Coach Marv Dunphy.
Dunphy has been coaching at Pepperdine for 27 seasons starting in 1978 and has proved to be one of the top and most respected coaches in the sport. He has taken Pepperdine to four NCAA championships won the 2005 National Coach of the Year honor and been part of the coaching staff for five Olympics— one as Head Coach in 1988 where his squad took home the gold. Dunphy has also been inducted into the Pepperdine Hall of Fame and last year into the American Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
“My coach is a great overall person and he genuinely talks to everyone sophomore middle blocker Matt Pollock said. He doesn’t criticize you and has great knowledge of the game.”
Not only is he loved by his team but he is also loved by Pepperdine and anyone who has gotten to know him. His team said he is the best possible choice to coach a competitive athlete.
When asked to describe Dunphy in one word senior outside hitter JD Schleppenbach said “respected because he does the right thing to the best of his ability for the good of everyone.”
Dunphy doesn’t like to talk about all of his achievements though. For him it is all about the team and how they can achieve greatness.
“The 500th win is not important to me at all when it comes to numbers Dunphy said. What matters is playing to our best ability and I know the guys will do that.”
As for the game against the Grand Canyon Antelopes the Waves fought hard knowing they wanted to be one step closer in helping their coach get the honor he deserves. The match ended in three games with Pepperdine keeping the momentum 30-15 30-20 30-21.
“It’s good for the sport of volleyball to play up-and-coming programs Dunphy said. Their future is looking very bright.”
The first game began with the unusual switch of Pollock over typical senior starter Rodnei Santos as middle blocker. It was a quick game but the Waves knew they would have to keep their own fire in order to stay strong against a weaker team.
In the second game there were several substitutions of the starting lineup. Senior setter Kyle Luongo redshirt freshman Beau Vandeweghe and sophomore outside hitter Chase Ross all kept the team pumped up with great serves blocks and hits.
“We were in control of the match said Dunphy, and it was neat to see other players get to contribute.”
The third game was another quick win for Pepperdine with the scoreboard always being ahead four or five points. Again the subs played with fire and they knew that in order to pull through with a W they had to play hard the whole time. It was 28-21 when Luongo went in to set for junior setter Kasey Crider and pushed a beautiful set that was hammered down for match point. It was on a Grand Canyon error that Pepperdine won the match 30-21.
“Csun wants their revenge said Pollock, and since we are one win and one lost apart it’s going to be a big match.”
Next up might be the biggest match of the season for both Pepperdine and Cal State Northridge. The Waves will face Csun this Friday at 7 p.m. in the Firestone Fieldhouse for the battle of the number one spot.
