After a terrific 2016 season, the Pepperdine men’s volleyball team was able to pick up 221 votes in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) preseason poll — placing the Waves at a No. 5 ranking to open the 2017 campaign in January.
Pepperdine ended the 2016 season with a 13-11 record and a No. 7 national ranking. The team is expected to carry the same momentum into the upcoming season, which will kick off with a home game against McKendree on Jan. 4, followed by a matchup with Canadian CIS league’s No. 2 ranked McMaster on Jan. 5 and 6.
The Waves return 17 members from the previous squad, and will welcome six newcomers — including 3 freshmen, two transfers and one new-but-old face as Kyle Suppes rejoins the team after a small hiatus — rounding out the team total to a strong 23.