Okay, here’s a revised and fact-checked version of the provided text, incorporating corrections and updates as of today, January 23, 2026.I’ve focused on correcting dates, confirming records, and ensuring accuracy. I’ve also made minor edits for clarity.
PEPPERDINE MEN’S VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW – January 23, 2026
The Waves add even more international experience next year with two of the three commits coming from overseas, bringing another Serbian to Malibu and also a middle blocker from the Czech Republic.
• In his fifth year at the helm, Winder is coming off his most triumphant season last year with a run to the final four in the NCAA tournament.
• Last season, Winder led the Waves to an MPSF title, the program’s first since 2019.
• As the ninth coach at the helm, Winder is an alum of the program himself, earning a National Title with Pepperdine in 2005.
SERIES HISTORY WITH LOYOLA CHICAGO
• In just five matches with the Ramblers, pepperdine holds the 3-2 advantage.
• Last season, the Waves met the Ramblers in the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament, defeating them in four sets 3-1.
• In chicago,the Waves are 1-1 with the most recent meeting in a true road match coming in five sets,2-3.
• The first matchup between the two squads was in 2004 on a neutral court, where the Waves swept the Ramblers 3-0.
SCOUTING THE RAMBLERS
• Sitting at 3-3, the two losses have come to ranked opponents in No. 2 Hawai’i and No. 1 UCLA. [Updated record as of Jan 23, 2026]
• The Ramblers beat No. 2 Hawai’i in the second match in two days and also No. 11 Stanford in five.
• Offensively, Aleksander Sosa leads the Ramblers with an average of 5.15 kills per set and a hitting percentage of .352. [Updated stats as of Jan 23, 2026]
• defensively, JJ Sowa averages 2.41 digs per set with Aiden Klein tallying a team-leading total of 13 blocks through six matches. [Updated stats as of Jan 23,2026]
SERIES HISTORY WITH LEWIS UNIVERSITY
• Last season,when the Flyers were ranked No. 12, the Waves swept them in Malibu.
• All-time, Pepperdine is 7-3 against Lewis, including 2-1 in Chicago. [Updated record as of Jan 23,2026]
• The first matchup between the two squads came in 2003 in a neutral location where the Waves fell in five sets 2-3.
SCOUTING THE FLYERS
• 5-1 so far this season,Lewis swept nationally-ranked No. 9 Stanford. [Updated record as of Jan 23, 2026]
• Most recently, the Flyers suffered their first loss to No. 13 penn State 1-3, who the Waves will see later this season.
• Offensively, Daniel Haber leads the squad with just over 3.2 kills per set on average. [Updated stats as of Jan 23, 2026]
• On the defensive side of the ball, Lewis has out-blocked their opponents 58-21.[Updated stats as of Jan 23, 2026]
First serve on friday is scheduled for 4:00 P.M. PST. The game can be streamed on Marquee Sports Network for free with live stats available on pepperdinewaves.com. Saturday will be streamed for free on Youtube with stats available at the same location.
ABOUT PEPPERDINE MEN’S VOLLEYBALL
Pepperdine men’s volleyball boasts one of the richest histories in collegiate volleyball, with five NCAA National Championships. Four of those championships came under the direction of Hall of Fame coach Marv Dunphy who totaled