Robert Mullahey, a redshirt sophomore who is a setter for the Pepperdine men's volleyball team, talks about how he got into playing volleyball and how the team has been playing since the beginning of the 2019 season:
 
Q: When did you start playing volleyball and what inspired you to play? 
 
A: I started playing in beach volleyball tournaments when I was about 9 years old. I used to play in all the U10 CBVA beach tournaments. I started playing indoor club at SCVC when I was 12. We had a solid core of local Manhattan Beach kids that stuck together at SCVC through 18s and are now playing in the MPSF and Big West. My older brother inspired me to play volleyball and in Manhattan Beach, learning how to play volleyball is a rite of passage. 
 
Q:  What other sports did you play growing up that you feel contributed to your success in volleyball, either sand or indoor?
 
A: I was a big basketball player growing up but I think the main sport that has contributed to volleyball success is ping-pong. As a kid I used to beat up on my older brother and his friends when they'd come over and I think it has given me a little-brother mentality. I run the table when the team goes over to Marv's house and I occasionally play in the HAWC on campus and beat up on some of the baseball guys, specifically Wil Jensen. Anyone who is reading this, I do take challengers -- I've seen Balls of Fury 11 times and am certain I would walk off that island a champion.
 
Q: Your brother went to USC and was a member of their men's volleyball team.  What made you decide to take a different route and join the Waves?
 
A: I really connected with the coaching staff here at Pepperdine because I feel like they really believe in me. I really enjoy the rich volleyball tradition that Pepperdine has and being a part of a historic program. I also love living in Malibu as it is similar to Manhattan Beach.
 
Q: Pepperdine started off strong this season.  What's important to success and how does the team respond when they have setbacks or injuries during the season?
 
A: We worked really hard in the offseason so it's cool to see that hard work paying off. We have a lot of talented players that put in a lot of work, so if someone goes down we have confidence in the next guy up. Our weight-lifting captain, Kaleb Denmark, does a great job leading by example for us in the weightroom. We also have the best lifting coach in the country, Tubbs Pike.
 
Q: The two setters who have seen action this year are younger than the other players who are seniors.  Being in a "quarterback" position how do you manage that, and how do you help mentor the younger setters?
 
A: I think that relationships are important when being a setter. I try to build relationships with all my teammates. For example, Clay Carr and I play in an annual beach tournament every summer. You need to have rapport with guys off the court so you can have trust and be able to give and take constructive criticism. Setting is an extremely difficult skill to master so I'm still learning with the younger guys every day. It's important for the setters -- me, Jon, Brendin, Ben, and Max -- to embrace that and learn together.
 
Q: How will the team stay motivated through a long season?  What are the keys to success of the Waves?
 
A: Last season didn't end like we wanted it to so I try to use that as fuel to make this season different. We brought back a lot of great players from last year's squad and added some fire in the middle with the addition of grad transfer Kevin Vaz. We have a lot of talent so I think as long as we win the serve and pass battle, we will be a tough team to beat this season.
 
Q: You are a great sand player as well indoor player. What are your aspirations after your college career? Are you headed to the AVP and FIVB or do you want to explore an overseas option?
 
A: I would like to play professionally for a bit but I also want to have a career in the business field. I'm not sure exactly which route I will take, but either way I want to become a four-man and six-man legend in the South Bay -- much like my good pal Max Chamberlain.
 
Q: For the new players that are just beginning the game, can you give some insight on how much of a struggle it is at first as you developed into a good player?  Many have a false sense that volleyball is so easy. The reality is the game is complex and moves fast and with multiple components going on at once.  Can you give insight to this?
 
A: When I was a younger player I was pretty short and skinny. Nolan Sharp and I both have older brothers that played so we used to go to all of their tournaments as kids and absorb as much volleyball as we could. This really helped develop my volleyball IQ, which really helped me as a younger player even though I grew pretty late. I used to help my brother's team referee and even shagged for them during hitting lines. You really understand how fast and complex volleyball is when you play with high-quality players. Just play as much as possible in as many gyms as possible to get exposed to everything. There are so many variations and possibilities that can occur. It's like elegant tango, it takes baby steps but soon you'll be moving and grooving with the flows of the game.
 
Q: What is some advice you could give to younger players that aspire to collegiate volleyball?
 
A: I would try to absorb as much volleyball and stick with it if it's something you really want to do. When I was a junior in high school I actually got cut from my high school team. I felt I deserved to be on the team, so I used it as motivation and I still use it as motivation to this day. I got recruited pretty late, but luckily made it here to Pepperdine. After I committed to Pepperdine, I wasn't going to play for my high school so I decided to transfer to Mira Costa to play for legendary coaches Mike Cook, Sean Shoptaw and Johnny Rawson for my last semester of high school. We ended up beating my former school Loyola, we won the state championship, and we were named national champions. It was a long road and I often had doubts and had no idea where I was going. All I knew was that I wanted to play volleyball so I didn't take no for an answer. It was a crazy journey that will stick with me for the rest of my life. Lastly, I would play on the beach as much as possible. Beach volleyball is a great way to develop an all-around game and it has immensely helped my indoor career.