Oct. 26, 2017

Final Stats

MORAGA, Calif. — A well-rounded effort by the Pepperdine women's volleyball team earned the Waves a 25-19, 25-19, 25-20 sweep over Saint Mary's at the McKeon Pavilion on Thursday night.

Blossom Sato spread out the offensive against SMC (7-14, 2-9 WCC) towards a .265 success rate, while posting a double-double on 28 assists and 12 digs. Jasmine Gross led the Pepperdine (13-11, 5-6 WCC) defensive effort with her fourth double-figure block match of the season after marking 10 and Hana Lishman tied her career-high three aces.

BIG WAVES

• Jasmine Gross (Portland, Ore./Jesuit HS): 10 blocks (2 solos), 8 kills, .300 hitting percentage, 4 digs
  
• Heidi Dyer (San Clemente, Calif./Saddleback Valley Christian HS): 12 kills, .241 hitting percentage, 5 digs, 4 blocks, 1 ace
  
• Hannah Frohling (Edmond, Okla./Edmond North HS): 9 kills, .304 hitting percentage, 10 digs, 2 aces
  
• Ashley Harris (Petaluma, Calif./Casa Grande HS/Arizona): 8 kills, 4 blocks
  
• Hana Lishman (Kailua, Hawai'i/Punahou School): 9 digs, 3 aces, 3 assists
  
• Blossom Sato (Santa Monica, Calif./Santa Monica HS/Mississippi State): 28 assists, 12 digs, 1 ace, 1 block
  
• Alli O'Harra (Boise, Idaho/Centennial HS): 5 kills, .400 hitting percentage

WAVES VS. GAELS

Pepperdine outplayed the opposition in nearly every aspect, smashing 43 kills down for a .265 hitting percentage, while giving up 40 kills on a .149 clip. The Waves marked 11. Team blocks as opposed to Saint Mary's 5.0 and tabbed seven aces to the home team's one. The Gaels did lead the match in digs and assists with 51 and 39 respectively, while Pepperdine put up 47 digs and 36 assists.

PEPPERDINE ATTACK BY SET

Set K-E-TA (Pct)

1. 15-4-36 (.306)

2. 15-3-42 (.295)

3. 13-6-35 (.200)

TOTAL: 43-13-113 (.265)

SAINT MARY'S ATTACK BY SET

Set K-E-TA (Pct)

1. 14-7-36 (.194)

2. 14-6-43 (.186)

3. 12-9-42 (.071)

TOTAL: 40-22-121 (.149)

PLAY-BY-PLAY

After a back-and-fort start to the first set, the Waves blocked their way to a 13-10 lead courtesty of Gross, Harris and Sato. The opposition tied the match at 16's, but kills from Frohling and an ace by Lishman propelled Pepperdine forward to a 21-16 advantage late in the set. It was fuel for the fire as the Waves used the lead to post a 25-19 set one victory.

Pepperdine had the momentum heading into the second set and used it to pull ahead quickly 7-5. The home team countered the attack, however, and tied the set 11-11. The Waves were not quick to roll over, though, and quickly went on a 7-1 run for a solid lead heading into the back stretch. Two kills from Frohling late in the set and a final blow from Dyer on the right side gave Pepperdine a 25-19 second set win for the 2-0 advantage.

Saint Mary's came out of the break with a vengeance, amassing an 11-4 lead over the Waves early on, which turned into a 15-9 advantage. Pepperdine then marked a 7-1 run for the second time in the match to tie the set at 16's. Gross' five blocks late in the set gave the Waves momentum and eventually the team was looking at a 24-17 match-point opportunity. After the Gaels made a brief comeback attempt, Harris shut the match down on a final smash for the 25-20 set win and a 3-0 sweep for Pepperdine.

NEXT UP

Next week, the Waves continue the northern road trip with another WCC match-up against Pacific on October 28 in the Alex G. Spanos Center. The match will stream live on TheW.tv.

Follow the Waves on Facebook and Twitter, @WavesVolleyball, and follow the team on Instagram, @peppvolley. Get all the most recent schedules, results and more on www.PepperdineWaves.com.