MALIBU, California – Though the Pepperdine men's volleyball program's 50th season was cut short, the Waves will continue their celebration that was planned with today's release of another All-Decade team and a list of Marv Dunphy's unsung heroes. Here are the selections for the fourth decade of Pepperdine volleyball, the 2000s, which featured the last of Pepperdine's five NCAA titles.
 
Dunphy has been associated with the program from almost the beginning. He transferred into Pepperdine in 1971-72 and played with the Waves for two seasons – the second and third teams in Pepperdine history. He then became an assistant coach before taking over as head coach ahead of the 1977 season. He was the head coach for a total of 34 seasons before stepping down after the 2017 campaign.


 
All-2000s Team
 
Setter: Jonathan Winder (2005-06-07-08)
Irvine, Calif. ... 2007 AVCA National Player of the Year ... 2007 Volleyball Magazine National Player of the Year ... Four-time All-American ... 2007 MPSF Player of the Year ... 2005 AVCA National Freshman of the Year ... 2005 and 2008 All-NCAA Tournament team ... 2008 CoSIDA Academic All-American.
Marv says: "I like to tell this story. In 2005 we had the makings of a good team, but we needed another leader, besides Sean Rooney. Sean led by just delivering but we needed another voice. Every couple weeks I brought 18-year-old freshman Jonathan Winder into my office and shared the best way to lead. Things went well for a couple of months. But Jonathan got a little too frisky. I told him, 'Those who you are leading are not following you.' He was demanding more of others than himself. We dialed it in and the young man set us to the national championship. He is a great young man and as solid as they come."
 
Opposite: Paul Carroll (2006-07-08-09)
Forster, Australia ... 2009 AVCA National Player of the Year ... 2009 Volleyball Magazine National Player of the Year ... Three-time All-American ... 2009 MPSF Player of the Year ... 2007 and 2008 All-NCAA Tournament team.
Marv says: "Paul came with a very good arm and a keen sense of what shot was best for every attacking scenario. As a long-armed 6-foot-9 lefty, he also had incredible range that opponents had never seen. He never gave the other team an easy ball to deal with. As good as he was at the net and as a server, his ability to play a tip or deflected ball may have been the best part of his game. He would stride slide to get deflections and pancake to get any tip. His great length helped. Needless to say, he's one of the very best to ever play at Pepperdine. Our student body loved him and like George Roumain, people came just to watch him play, and that's quite a compliment."
 
Outside Hitter: Sean Rooney (2002-03-04-05)
Wheaton, Ill. ... 2005 AVCA National Player of the Year ... 2004 and 2005 Volleyball Magazine National Player of the Year ... Four-time All-American ... 2005 MPSF Player of the Year ... 2005 NCAA Tournament MVP ... 2002 AVCA National Freshman of the Year ... 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympian ... Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame inductee.
Marv says: "I'm trying to think about what hasn't already been said about Sean as an elite player, teammate and person. He is the most sincere and loyal person I know. He played professionally in Korea, Russia and Italy. No matter where he was in life, he tracked and pulled for the Waves who came after him. He knew the players from afar and knew why we won or lost. He pulls for the USA team with the same vigor. Nowadays when we talk, it's about coaching for a few minutes, but moreso, it's about Coleman, Cooper, Val and flowers. I was a good coach when Sean played. Whenever things got tight, I'd whisper to Winder, 'Set Rooney.' "
 
Outside Hitter: Fred Winters (2001-02-03-04)
North Vancouver, B.C., Canada ... 2003 and 2004 All-American ... 2016 Olympian with Canada.
Marv says: "Fred was and is a great athlete. Volleyball is probably his third-best sport. The Pepperdine basketball coaches asked if he would play with their team. One afternoon I was walking past the baseball field with Fred and a couple of his teammates. I asked Rick Hirtensteiner if we could take a few batting practice swings. I hit a couple of balls beyond shortstop. Fred hit six of Rick's 10 pitches out of the park, two over the high screen in left field. I suggested to Rick that Fred must have good hands or good technique. He said, 'Not really, he is incredibly strong!' Professionally, Fred played at the highest level and was captain of his country's Olympic team. I credit Jeff Stork for helping Fred become a great passer."
 
Middle Blocker: Brad Keenan (2000-01-02-03)
Westminster, Calif. ... 2002 AVCA National Player of the Year ... 2002 and 2003 Volleyball Magazine National Player of the Year ... Four-time All-American ... 2002 MPSF Player of the Year ... 2000 All-NCAA Tournament team ... Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame inductee.
Marv says: "Ideally, your players would be excellent at all skills. For me, they needed at least two. Brad was exceptional at three skills: blocking, serving and attacking. One year he had more blocks than our opponents combined! I don't think we will ever see something like that again. As an attacker, Brad was good in front of the setter and almost unstoppable on the slide behind the setter. A lot like Craig Buck, he had a great feel for the game and saw things before they happened. In today's game, if a team gets a couple of scoring runs they stand a great chance of winning. Brad would get on a scoring run with any of his three great skills and could dominate games."
 
Middle Blocker: Andy Hein (2003-04-05-06)
Carol Stream, Ill. ... 2005 and 2006 All-American.
Marv says: "Andy was a junior in 2005 when we put out the second edition of the Malibu Roofing Company. Parfitt was 6-foot-8, Winder was 6-foot-9, Hulse was 6-foot-8, Rooney was 6-foot-10 and Andy was the tallest at 6-for-11. At one point in the championship match I asked Andy, 'When was the last time they hit clean?' He couldn't recall because he was touching, controlling or stuffing everything. I told him to just stay the course and he did. He is a giant with a kind heart."
 
Utility: John Mayer (2003-04-05)
Thousand Oaks, Calif. ... 2005 All-American.
Marv says: "Rod Wilde was the biggest volleyball rat at Pepperdine until John Mayer arrived. If the sun was up, John was playing down on the beach. If the sun was down, he was playing indoor. He was fast, he could jump and he was quick ... man, was he quick. He is in the utility category because he played at a different position every year, and he played them all well, just like a volleyball rat should. He was good as a libero, he was good as a setter and in 2005 he was great as a passing opposite. Opponents paid the price when they tried to attack at John. He had great instincts as a blocker. He always put his hands in the right place and at the right time. There is not a nicer person in our sport."
 
Utility: Beau Daniels (2001-02)
League City, Texas ... 2002 All-American.
Marv says: "Not too many young men make their way from League City, Texas, to Malibu, play volleyball at an elite level, earn a degree in sports medicine, become a valued employee for an NFL team, marry their sweetheart, and become a great father to Ryker and Maddox. The sky is the limit for Beau and people like Beau. He had great all-around ability. His maturity, character and grit helped every team that he was a part of. Like most coaches, I value toughness and Beau was tough."
 


Marv Dunphy's Unsung Heroes of the 2000s
 
Andy & Debby Benton
Marv says: "I'm so grateful that their time at Pepperdine included my time. I liked thinking that they thought men's volleyball was special, but I know that they were sincerely interested in every program at the university, all staff and of course, every student. They were extremely loyal. In 2002 we were playing for the national championship at Penn State. Debby saw what amounted to an unfair advantage taking place and she got after the host institution. She saw a wrong and had the courage to attempt to right it. Long or short, I enjoyed every interaction with them and I admired their love for their dogs!"
 
Craig & Vicki Brown
Marv says: "I got to know Craig and Vicki because of their close relationship to Jonathan Winder and his family. Craig and Vicki have always been dear friends with the Winders, but that relationship got even tighter when Jonathan's father died. Jonathan was 5 years old when his father passed. Craig became a supportive second father to Jonathan. When Jonathan played here, the Browns funded all the necessary technology to keep us on the cutting edge. They continue to be supportive of Jonathan, Pepperdine volleyball and me personally. I appreciate their genuine friendship and Craig's help in picking our best lineups."
 
Lou & Kathy Colombano
Marv says: "When I attend a significant Pepperdine event, Kathy and Lou are there. When I attend a home sporting event, they are there. Needless to say, they are very supportive of Pepperdine University and Pepperdine sports. I enjoy telling them, 'I always feel good when I'nm in the gym with them.' They are sharp, wonderful people who care."
 
David & Cindy Del Dosso
Marv says: "For years, Cindy did a lot of everything for our athletic department. What I remember most was her attitude when we, for whatever reason, had to do stuff last-minute: 'No problem, let's find a way!' When you play for championships, nothing is guaranteed and thus there is not much post-match celebration planning. When we won in 2005, Cindy somehow had a huge buffet for the team, families, friends and fans. Her work freed us up to coach and she helped complete the championship. We are always pleased to see them in the stands at home and road matches."
 
Alex Dunphy
Marv says: "For years, Alex, either formally or informally, did everything for our program. Whether it was budget, scheduling, fundraising, camps, golf tournament, travel, equipment or apparel, admininstration and organization came easy to her. She knows how the game is played, taught and coached. She also has a great feel for people and the moment. I thoroughly enjoyed in-game discussions with her. Coaches would throw out ideas for tactics or personnel and then Alex would stun us with the truth, along with why. I love her more than anything else in the whole wide world."
 
Hung & Corinne Le and family
Marv says: "When I think of all-time great Waves, I think of Hung and Corinne. They bleed orange and blue! I sit with them at most home matches and it is heart-warming and entertaining to see how they pull for the Waves and help the officials with their calls. After matches, win or lose, they are in the gym lobby being supportive of every player as they exit the locker room. When we are wrapping up visits with recruits, we ask them, 'What are your takeaways from your time on campus?' We're hoping that they liked our players, staff, academics, etc. There's one constant, and that's their time with Hung. Now if a player does not mention Hung, we question that recruitment. Hung and Corinne are raising five wonderful boys: Zach, Ben, Jaime, Garrett and the youngest, Otis."
 
Scott Wong (player, 1998-01)
Marv says: "Scott was a good, smart all-around player. He played right away and carried big hitting and passing loads. I think he passed most of the court for four years! He was an assistant coach when we won it in 2005. Steve Potts always looks for coaches 'who fit' at Pepperdine and Scott Wong fits. Scott comes from a great family and he and Tamar are doing a wonderful job with Elyse and Dylan."
 
Jim & Judy Zierick
Marv says: "Our program would not be where it is without their ongoing financial support. Our coaching staff for the past 20 years marvels at their contributions. I thank Ken and Libby Perrin for exposing Jim and Judy to volleyball. They are two brilliant people who know sport, know the workplace and know life. It is neat to see players seek their advice in all three domains. They love their dogs and Jim enjoys his annual research study on food groups."