Waves’ volleyball team prepares for playoffs as regular season ends

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Waves' Cory Riecks elevates over two BYU blockers to spike the ball in Thursday's game. Photo By Sam Rubinroit

The second-ranked Pepperdine men’s volleyball team concluded the regular season with a two-match series against the sixth-ranked BYU Cougars, on Thursday and Friday. The Waves were victorious on Thursday (30-28, 28-30, 30-20, 30-28), while BYU won on Friday (22-30, 30-21, 30-27, 30-26).

On Thursday, it became evident that the Waves (18-4) and the Cougars (17-12) were evenly matched, as neither team was able to take a large lead through the first two games. In the third game, however, the Waves dominated, but they were not able to carry this success to the beginning of game four. BYU jumped out to a quick 10-4 lead, but Pepperdine fought back to tie the game at 19, before winning the game and the match.

“That is the difference between the average teams and the good teams in our league,” senior Paul Carroll said about the Waves’ comeback in game four. “We have been able to play well in the tough situations all year, and that is why our record is so good.”

On Friday, the Waves took a commanding 12-2 lead to start the match before winning game one. However, BYU was able to turn its performance around and win the final three games to secure the match.

Friday night marked senior night, as Paul Carroll, Mark Hulse and Matt McKee played their last regular-season home game with the Waves. In an emotional ceremony before the game, the three players were honored with their families and presented with action photographs commemorating their time on the team. Carroll, a two-time All-American, leads the nation in kills and the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation in points. Hulse has played for Pepperdine the last two seasons after transferring from Rutgers-Newark. McKee, who made the MPSF All-Academic team in 2008, was named the MPSF co-Player of the Week earlier this season.

“Mark Hulse was a setter, and we have him as a middle. He is playing out of position a little bit, but we almost won a championship with him playing out of position last year,” Coach Marv Dunphy said. “Matt McKee was an opposite and now he is an outside hitter, and he has played well there. With Paul Carroll, the numbers speak for themselves. He has really had an impact on this team and this program.”

Junior middle blocker Rodnei Santos played his first matches against his former team. Santos played at BYU as a freshman before transferring to Pepperdine.

The Waves’ next home game is Saturday at 7 p.m. when they host the first round of the MPSF Tournament. The Waves will be the second seed in the tournament, and they will play the seventh-seeded Long Beach State 49ers.