Pepperdine Graphic

Women’s Volleyball Opens Conference Play With a Win

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Head coach Scott Wong addresses the team in a huddle against Oregon State on Sept. 26 at Gill Coliseum. Wong is in his 10th season as the team's head coach. Photos courtesy of Brandon Ndungu/Daily Barometer at Orange Media Network.
Head coach Scott Wong addresses the team in a huddle against Oregon State on Sept. 26 at Gill Coliseum. Wong is in his 10th season as the team's head coach. Photos courtesy of Brandon Ndungu/Daily Barometer at Orange Media Network.

Pepperdine Women’s Indoor Volleyball took a trip to Oregon State on Sept. 26 for their 11th game of the season. The Waves entered the matchup with a 3-7 record, including two back to back losses in the Long Beach State University tournament this past weekend.

Pepperdine and Oregon State played a close first set, but as the set progressed, Pepperdine took the lead and established it. The Waves won the first set 25-20.

Pepperdine battled from behind in the second set, eventually tying the game up at 15-15. The scoreboard went back and forth until Pepperdine took a 23-22 lead, and they finished the game strong, winning 25-22.

Graduate outside hitter/opposite Birdie Hendrickson goes up for a spike against Oregon State on Sept. 26 at Gill Coliseum. Hendrickson was named to the All WCC team last season.
Graduate outside hitter/opposite Birdie Hendrickson goes up for a spike against Oregon State on Sept. 26 at Gill Coliseum. Hendrickson was named to the All WCC team last season.

Oregon State took a five-point lead early in the third set, and Pepperdine once again fought from behind, catching up towards the end of the set. This set came down to the wire, during which Pepperdine took a promising lead of 23-22, their first lead of the set.

The Beavers fought back hard and kept the set going with a 24-24 scoreboard, pushing the set into a win-by-two scenario.

Oregon battled their way through to win the set 25-27, pushing the game to a fourth set.

With the fourth set, the Waves had a second chance to seal the win, and they established a steady lead when their score was in double digits. Their lead widened through the course of the set, and they took the final set with a comfortable 25-15 victory.

Freshman middle blocker Ella Piskorz prepares to serve the ball against Oregon State on Sept. 26 at Gill Coliseum. Piskorz has achieved WCC Defensive Player of the Week and WCC Freshman of the Week honors this year.
Freshman middle blocker Ella Piskorz prepares to serve the ball against Oregon State on Sept. 26 at Gill Coliseum. Piskorz has achieved WCC Defensive Player of the Week and WCC Freshman of the Week honors this year.

Pepperdine led the game in kills with 59 to Oregon State’s 48. Hendrickson led the Waves in kills with 18, graduate opposite Riley Simpson following her with 13 and senior outside hitter/opposite Grace Chillingworth rounded out third with 11, according to Pepperdine Athletics.

The Waves led the game in aces with eight to the Beavers’ four. Pepperdine also led the game in blocks, nine to the the Beavers’ six, and in assists, 59 to the Beavers’ 45, according to Pepperdine Athletics.

Oregon State led the Waves in one category, digs– securing 59 to Pepperdine’s 58, according to Pepperdine Athletics.

The Waves now improve to a 4-7 record, with a 1-0 record in conference play.

Pepperdine followed this matchi with a home game against Pacific on Sept. 28, which they won to improve to 2-0 in the conference.

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Contact Nick Charkhedian via email: nareg.charkhedian@pepperdine.edu