Freshman outside hitter Cole Hartke swings for a kill against a Jessup University block attempt at Firestone Fieldhouse on April 10. Hartke is ranked No. 22 in the nation as a freshman for hitting percentage with a .348, according to NCAA College Men’s Volleyball Statistics. Photos by Kasten Grimm
Men’s Volleyball defeated Jessup University 3-1 April 10 at Firestone Fieldhouse. After losing the first set 25-27, the Waves avenged their performance and won the last three sets in a row, 25-18, 25-13 and 26-24.
Despite multiple injuries before and during the game, the Waves held their composure to defeat the Warriors. Freshman outside hitter Cole Hartke led the Waves with 20 kills, graduate setter Gabe Dyer led with eight digs and 36 assists and senior outside hitter Ryan Barnett had four aces on the match.
In the first set, the Waves held with the Warriors but overall had a slow start. Even though they had a lead of 24-22, they lost key points to get them their first set.
In the second set, the Waves went on a scoring run led by Hartke and Barnett, who had 11 kills and one hitting error for their highest team hitting percentage of the match with .400, according to Pepperdine Athletics. This steady lead kept the Waves moving throughout the remainder of the match.
Jessup then had multiple errors in the third set which the Waves took advantage of. Barnett continued his kill streak, and senior libero Brendan Read had two aces in a row to continue a scoring run.
The Warriors made an early run of 5-1 in the last set, but the Waves persevered and extended their lead to 14-7. Defensively, junior libero Jacob Reilly and redshirt junior outside hitter Kevin Roberts made efforts to keep the Waves afloat against Jessup. The Waves ended the last set with a close 26-24 for a final win of 3-1.
Men’s Volleyball will play Bringham Young University on April 18 at Smith Fieldhouse.
Hartke celebrates with his teammates after a kill against Jessup University on April 10 at Firestone Fieldhouse. Hartke led the Waves with 20 kills and was named WCC Offensive Player of the Week on April 7.
Graduate setter Gabe Dyer jump sets for an assist in Firestone Fieldhouse on April 10 against Jessup University. Dyer had 36 assists and eight digs on the match.
Senior outside hitter Ryan Barnett swings for a kill against Jessup University at Firestone Fieldhouse on April 10. Barnett had 14 kills and led the team with four aces.
Gabe sells for a hit against Jessup University at Firestone Fieldhouse on April 10. The Waves avenged their first set loss with a second-match win of 25-18.
The Waves gather after a point against Jessup University on April 10 at Firestone Fieldhouse. The Waves lost the first set with a score of 25-27 but were able to take the last three for a win.
Freshman middle blocker William Whidden jumps for a set against Jessup University on April 10 at Firestone Fieldhouse. The Waves pulled multiple players off the bench as they dealt with injuries on the team, but the team was still able to keep up with their competition.
Junior libero Jacob Reilly dives for a dig against a Jessup University hit April 10 at Firestone Fieldhouse. Reilly had six digs in this match and is currently averaging 1.80 digs per set, according to NCAA College Men’s Volleyball Statistics.
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Contact Megan Harkey via email: megan.harkey@pepperdine.edu
