By Jill Oberly
Staff Writer
What’s the key to the Pepperdine men’s volleyball team’s recent success in defeating So Cal rivals Long Beach State and UC San Diego? A fiery offense.
“Our offense is very fast,” senior middle blocker Chris Van Reusen said. “We have one of the fastest offenses in the country. A lot of teams have a hard time blocking us.”
A large part of that offense has been continued strong play from freshmen outside hitter Sean Rooney, who totaled 36 kills this past weekend. Rooney had a match-high total of 19 against Long Beach State Friday evening. Rooney helped lift the Waves to a four-game win, 30-21, 28-30, 30-22, 30-20 over the 49ers in their opening MPSF match of the season.
Besides a dominating offense, head coach Marv Dunphy cites something else. “I always believe that having the right players is a huge key,” Dunphy said. “To put it simply, we have a team full of good kids who are good volleyball players.”
Sophomore outside hitter Fred Winters also contributed to the offense, tallying 15 kills. The middle blocker duo of Van Reusen and junior Brad Keenan combined for a total of 27 kills and 14 blocks. The Waves out-blocked the 49ers 14-3.
The match marked the second time that Pepperdine has beaten Long Beach this season. This past weekend the Waves also faced and dominated UC San Diego, 30-20, 30-24, 30-15. As a team, Pepperdine had a .539 hitting percentage compared to San Diego’s .307. The Waves dominated offense with 58 kills to the Tritons struggling 34.
Rooney lead the team in kills with 17, followed by Keenan with 12 and Winters with 11.
The two weekend wins put Pepperdine at 6-2 overall and 2-0 in MPSF play. The Waves still have until the end of April for the MPSF tournament, which will be held at a place to be determined.
“We’re getting into a good rhythm offensively,” Dunphy said. “ One of the strengths of the team is that they side-out well. Although we’ve been blocking more balls than our opponents, that is one area in which we need to improve.”
Upcoming matches should prove to be challenging for the Waves.
“UC Irvine is a big opponent,” Van Reusen said. “They beat us in the past but they’re traditionally not a very strong team.”
Another upcoming threat is local rival Cal State Northridge. Northridge is not known as the strongest team in the league. However, thanks to a long list of returning players and some hot recruits, this year’s team could prove to be the best Northridge has ever assembled.
Dunphy realizes the threat. “Against Northridge our defense will be tested,” Dunphy said. “They’re a big team. We won’t be able to stop them but we will have to control them. Having all their players back gives them an advantage.”
The Waves, who are excited to return home after traveling, will need to rely on growing strength in offense and a strong defense to ensure future success. Today the Waves return to Firestone Fieldhouse to face the UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs.
Then it’s back on the road to face UC Irvine on Saturday. The Waves take on Northridge Jan. 29, at Firestone Fieldhouse. All games begin at 7 p.m.
January 24, 2002