Final Stats

HIGHLIGHTS | PHOTO GALLERY

MALIBU, Calif. -- After four sets of strong play on both sides, including a first-ever career double-double from Waves' freshman Hannah Frohling, the Pepperdine women's volleyball team succumbs to the Lipscomb Bisons with 20-25, 26-24, 27-29 and 21-25 sets scores to close day one of the Asics Classic in Firestone Fieldhouse this Friday night.

The Waves hit for a .254 success rate with 52 kills and only 17 errors in 138 swings. The team also produced 14 blocks assists, 63 digs, 51 assists and three service aces.

Frohling (Edmond, Okla./Edmond North HS) had an outstanding first day as a Wave, completing the night with 10 kills and 11 digs, while adding an ace and block assist towards the effort. Also with big presence was sophomore Nikki Lyons (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas HS), who delivered a solid .308 on the attack with 11 kills.

Sophomore Heidi Dyer (San Clemente, Calif./Saddleback Valley Christian HS) tabbed an all-around effort with eight kills, 22 assists and seven digs. Junior transfer Maddie Dilfer (Saratoga, Calif./Valley Christian HS/Notre Dame) led the squad by dishing out 25 assists and also added nine digs.

Freshman Jasmine Gross (Portland, Ore./Jesuit HS) collected eight kills on a .316 success rate, and produced five blocks assists and three digs. Libero Hana Lishman (Kailua, Hawai'i/Punahou School) and junior Ashley Morgan (Anaheim Hills, Calif./Canyon HS) were solid in the back row with 16 and nine digs respectively.

In the first set, Lipscomb pulled ahead to a quick 7-3 advantage. Pepperdine attempted to rally back, but the Bisons worked to a 15-9 lead with a strong attack effort. The Waves would not roll over, however, and back-to-back kills by Gross put the home team within a two-point range. Shortly after, the opposition pulled away en route to a 25-20 set win to open the night.

Pepperdine had a strong presence throughout the second set, amassing an early 8-4 lead. Lipscomb stayed in the match, however, and despite a 17-13 Waves' advantage, managed to close the gap and tie the set 21-21. Each team exchanged points and possessions, but with the score tied at 24's, Gross smacked down a kill and then she followed it up with a communal rejection with Lyons to take the 26-24 win and tie the match.

The Waves had the edge in the third set, posting an 11-7 lead early before the opposition stepped back into the match. After the teams tied at 14-14, both parties went point-for-point towards an eventual 20-20 tie. Pepperdine pulled ahead to a 24-22 advantage, but after five set-point opportunities, the Bisons battled to the 27-27 mark. A kills and an ace finished off the set and gave Lipscomb the momentum heading into the fourth set.

With the energy still on their side of the court, the Bisons came out to a 7-0 start. Pepperdine started the rally in the middle of the set, coming back to a near 10-13 deficit. The Bisons were always able to stay one step ahead, though, and finished the match with a 25-21 fourth set victory to end the night.

The Waves will be back in Firestone Fieldhouse for the second day of the Asics Classic at 4:30 p.m. Pepperdine will go head-to-head against Cal State Northridge to close out the tournament. Find live stats and live stream here: http://gowav.es/2bT5hVh. Follow the Waves on Facebook and Twitter @WavesVolleyball for immediate updates, recaps and more!