ZACH ENGLUND
Sports Assistant
In a pair of high-profile matches at home against top-ranked Brigham Young University this past week, No.-2 Pepperdine did the unthinkable. The Waves not only edged out a 3-2 win Thursday, but they also put on a clinic Saturday, sweeping the Cougars 3-0 to extend their winning streak to eight games.
The Waves’ first match against BYU came down to the wire Thursday, setting up a dramatic ending to what was both the most difficult and exciting game of the season.
With a full house cheering them on in Firestone Fieldhouse, the Waves got off to a quick start in game one and took an early lead at 6-3. Although BYU kept it close midway through the set at 11-all, the Waves went on a 5-2 run and never looked back, taking a 1-0 lead in the contest.
The Waves carried the momentum into game two, taking a 12-9 lead and once again putting the pressure on the Cougars. This time, BYU would pull it together and go on a 6-0 run, taking a 15-13 advantage in the set and reminding everyone why they’re ranked No.-1 in the nation. Trailing most of the game, the Waves were able to stay focused and managed to tie it up at 19-all.
With the fans reawakened by the comeback, the Waves seemed poised to take control of the set and match. However, the resiliency of BYU was once again in full display, as the Cougars blocked out the noise and took care of business, tying the game at 1-all, while at the same time losing their starting setter Yamil Perez to a twisted ankle for the rest of the match.
With the crowd temporarily silenced, BYU took full advantage and maintained a slight edge leading into a 24-18 advantage late in game three. It was at that point that Pepperdine stepped it up and responded with a late charge, knotting the game at 28-all and later snatching the all-important game three from the clutches of the Cougars.
Down 2-1 on the road, BYU again showed their colors by taking a 17-8 lead that Pepperdine could not recover from, sending the match into a fifth and decisive game and setting up what became an instant classic in Malibu.
Neither team gained much of a lead early in the set, deadlocked at nine points midway through. Finally, the Waves were able to muster up a three-point lead at 13-10, just two points away from the elusive upset, but the Cougars weren’t ready to throw in the towel, responding with a 3-0 run in a game that had everyone watching on pins and needles. With both teams within grasp of the biggest victory of their respective seasons, it was the Waves that held it together when it counted most, winning the match and igniting absolute pandemonium in the confines of Firestone Fieldhouse.
Round two of BYU versus Pepperdine was much more one-sided than it’s predecessor, as the Waves handled the Cougars in convincing fashion, taking just 89 minutes to complete the sweep Saturday.
Game one of the match was the most competitive of the three, as both teams traded leads en route to a tie at 28-all. Inspired by another fantastic crowd during Pepperdine’s homecoming weekend, the Waves refused to disappoint, claiming game one for the home team.
Sets two and three were all Pepperdine, as BYU seemed almost overwhelmed by the combination of the scorching Waves and their relentless fans.
At the end of the match, the Waves walked toward the bleachers and took a curtain call, thanking fans for all the support they received in both contests.
“I tell you, those crowds on Thursday and Saturday were absolutely fabulous,” Head Coach Marv Dunphy said. “And our guys acknowledged them as soon as the game was over. Usually I’m against doing that kind of thing, but it was spontaneous and it was pretty cool. A lot of general public and alumni were there too, so that was great to be a part of.”
Patrick Powers, freshman middle blocker, shared in Dunphy’s sentiments.
“Having a big crowd there helped us a lot,” he said. “We’re really appreciative when people come out and watch us.”
Even with the two impressive wins against the top-ranked team in the nation, both Dunphy and Powers said there’s “a lot more volleyball to be played,” and it would be foolish to get too caught up in any win during the season.
The team is receiving a ton of interest from the students, as noted by the attendance of home games recently. This is something that Dunphy says he appreciates tremendously.
“I think it’s an honor that the students would enjoy watching us play,” he said. “We’re normal people, so there’s really a lot of pride in that. I don’t talk to the guys about it, but we’re very honored.”
The Waves host Stanford tonight, followed by another home game tomorrow against Pacific, with both games being played at 7 p.m.
02-22-2007
