GREG BARNETT
Sports assistant
The women’s volleyball team won two crucial matches to stay alive in the race for the West Coast Conference title with a home sweep over the University of Portland and Gonzaga University last weekend. With the wins, the Waves improved to 16-7 (7-3 WCC) and are tied for second in the conference.
“We came together as a team and played really consistent,” junior Kayla Walker said. “We weren’t up and down and we were really solid.”
Pepperdine hosted Portland last Thursday and impressed the home crowd, taking the match in three games, 30-20, 30-24, and 30-21. The Waves were able to put together big runs to pull away from the Pilots in each game. A 13-1 run in the first game set the tone for the match after the Waves fell behind 3-1 to start.
Pepperdine held the Pilots to a .111 hitting percentage while the Waves hit .358 for the match. The Waves were led by senior Chevy Crum who registered 43 assists and four kills in her fourth match of the year. Junior Julie Rubenstein hit .500 for the match with 15 kills and also had 8 digs. Senior Lecca Roberts hit .588 with 11 kills and also notched eight block assists.
“We played very efficiently and crisp as a whole,” Rubenstein said. “It was a good team effort.”
Gonzaga traveled to Firestone Fieldhouse for a Saturday afternoon match and the Waves continued their solid play with a 3-0 victory. Pepperdine took the first two games easily, 30-19 and 30-20, but the third game was tight with the home team prevailing 32-30.
The Waves had the Bulldogs at match point, 29-27, but Gonzaga fought back with three straight points to take the lead 30-29. Pepperdine then wheeled off three consecutive kills by sophomore Rachel Lumsden, Rubenstein and Roberts to take the final game, and match, 32-30.
Pepperdine hit .390 for the match while holding Gonzaga to a .144 hitting percentage. Lumsden tallied 17 kills with a .433 hitting percentage and seven digs. Rubenstein had a team-high 19 kills and eight digs. Sophomore setter Kiah Fiers set a season high for assists in a three-game match with 48.
The Waves are on the road this weekend with away matches at the University of San Francisco tonight, followed by a Saturday afternoon match at the University of San Diego.
“We’re looking for two wins and to continue playing together as a team,” Rubenstein said. “And finishing when we’re ahead as we have been.”
11-08-2007
