The Waves (15-10 8-4 WCC) beat the LMU Lions Friday night winning the local rivalry match in the Pacific Coast Highway challenge. The Waves won in four games 25-19 25-19 23-25 and 25-11 against the Lions.
The PCH Challenge is a new competition created in October between LMU and Pepperdine for all athletics. Each time the two teams face off points are awarded to the winning team. The university with the most points at the end of the year will be named the PCH Challenge Champion and will receive the PCH Cup.
The Waves now lead the PCH challenge 4.0-3.5 after gaining 1.5 points for Friday’s win.
In October 2008 Pepperdine swept the Lions at Firestone Fieldhouse in three games. This time around the Waves went on to pound the local rivals in a one game addition of four games and continued their dominance in the Los Angeles region.
“We fully expect to win the PCH challenge senior Waves setter Kiah Fiers said before the game.
Senior outside hitter, Rachel Grochmal had 12 kills and 14 digs, while freshman outside hitter Caitlin Racich had 10 kills and 12 digs. Fiers had 40 assists to aid the offense. All players added crucial points to the scoreboard through out the match against LMU.
Sophomore middle blocker Kim Hill had 14 kills and four blocks, and freshman middle blocker Victoria Adelhelm notched 10 kills. Again, key elements were played with fire throughout this match to make sure that the Waves added a win so the points for the PCH Challenge went towards Pepperdine’s side.
Sophomore outside hitter, Lilla Frederick, had a career-high 22 digs. Twenty-two digs in a match is always inspiring for the whole team. Sophomore libero, Stevi Robinson had 21 digs, which was right behind Frederick. The Waves threw down a great defensive game against the Lions. Thanks to the overpowering defense of the Waves, the Lions only hit a .133 percentage.
The Waves scored their season-high hit percentage of .481 during the match. Even though the match went to four games, it was a battle won by defensive skills, focus and momentum from the Waves.
We’ve been playing well together and we are confident to go in and win our last two conference matches Racich said. It’s been a great season.”
Not only did the Waves gain a win in thier volleyball season but another set of 1.5 points were added to the PCH Challenge.
The Waves finish their West Coast Conference season in Northern California next week with matches again Santa Clara on Nov. 19 and San Francisco on Nov. 21.
Pepperdine lost to both schools at home last month but if Pepperdine wins they could finish 6-1 in the second half of the regular season. These two wins would also provide Pepperdine a least a tie for second place in the WCC.
