Pepperdine Men’s Volleyball Falls to UC Santa Barbara, Prepares for Lincoln Memorial
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The No. 6 Pepperdine men’s volleyball team (7-3, 1-0 MPSF) was swept in three close sets Wednesday night by the No. 14 UC Santa Barbara Gauchos (7-5). Despite a competitive showing, the Waves struggled offensively and fell to the Gauchos 23-25, 21-25, and 24-26.
Match Recap
Head coach Jonathan Winder acknowledged the team’s performance wasn’t at its best, stating, “We just didn’t play well tonight. In all phases of the game we were off and UC Santa Barbara played really well. We’ve learned more from our losses than our wins this season, so I’m looking forward to what the group learns and improves on from this experience.”
Pepperdine hit .144 for the night, their lowest hitting percentage of the season. The Waves faced a challenging offensive battle throughout the match.
First Set
The first set was closely contested, with the Waves initially taking a 4-2 lead before UC Santa Barbara rallied. Despite Ryan Barnett’s service ace, Pepperdine dropped the first set 23-25.
Second Set
The second set mirrored the first, with Pepperdine fighting from behind. Zach Chapin served during a brief lead for the Waves at 17-16, but UC Santa Barbara responded with key kills to secure a 25-21 victory.
Third Set
The third set featured nine ties and two lead changes, remaining competitive until the end. Despite extending the set to extra points, Pepperdine ultimately fell 24-26, resulting in a three-set sweep.
Key Statistics
Cole Hartke led the Waves with 10 kills. Ryan Barnett recorded a team-high three service aces, while Jacob Reilly led in digs with seven. Andrej Polomac contributed 23 assists.
Pepperdine Attack by Set
| Set | K | E | TA | Pct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 5 | 26 | .038 |
| 2 | 14 | 5 | 30 | .300 |
| 3 | 9 | 6 | 34 | .088 |
UC Santa Barbara Attack by Set
| Set | K | E | TA | Pct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15 | 4 | 35 | .229 |
| 2 | 15 | 4 | 32 | .344 |
| 3 | 16 | 7 | 35 | .257 |
Next Match & Game Details
Pepperdine will return home to face No. 19 Lincoln Memorial University on Saturday night. The match, dubbed “Block Out Cancer,” will feature commemorative pink shirts for the first fans in attendance and free Chick-Fil-A for students. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT, with streaming available on B1G+ (subscription required) and live stats at www.pepperdinewaves.com.
Game Notes
- Cole Hartke led the team in kills with 10.
- Ryan Barnett recorded three service aces.
- Jacob Reilly had a team-leading seven digs.
- Andrej Polomac led the Waves in assists with 23.
- Pepperdine out-blocked UC Santa Barbara 9.5 to 4.5.
- The Waves recorded their lowest kill total of the season with 29.
About Pepperdine Men’s Volleyball
Pepperdine men’s volleyball has a distinguished history, including five NCAA National Championships. The program has produced 19 NCAA appearances and 63 All-Americans. Under head coach Jonathan Winder, the Waves reached the NCAA Final Four in 2025.
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