MALIBU, CA—The No. 7-ranked men’s volleyball team(5-1, 4-0) faced No. 12-ranked Hawaii for the second consecutive day, following the men’s basketball game versus BYU on Jan. 21. While the gym wasn’t as full for the volleyball game, the energy level remained high the entire match.
The Waves managed to scrap together a 3-1 victory (25-20, 25-21, 25-22, 25-23) over the Warriors in a game lasting nearly two hours. Players diving into tables and slamming into walls in lengthy rallies characterized the exciting win.
Junior opposite Maurice Torres stepped up for the Waves with 21 kills and five digs. Freshman outside hitter Josh Taylor also played well with 14 kills and led the team defensively with eight digs.
Pepperdine jumped ahead early in the first set with a hot 7-3 start that also carried them through the second set, allowing the Waves to steal the first two 25-20 and 25-21, respectively.
In the third set, the Warriors made a comeback a last night’s game. Although they nailed two fewer kills than the Waves, their blocks proved to be enough to win them the set.
The players on both teams appeared fatigued, but carried on strong through the fourth set. They battled it out with 12 ties and four lead changes.
At the end of the set, the Waves and the Warriors traded points until the Waves were finally able to go on a 2-0 run to claim the dramatic 25-23 victory.
Next up, the men’s volleyball squad goes on a mini road trip, leaving the confines of Firestone Fieldhouse for two games.
On Jan. 25 they will take on No. 2-ranked UC Irvine in Irvine. Two days after that, they will travel to La Jolla to challenge UC San Diego.
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