MALIBU, California – Who are the best Waves ever to wear a particular number on their jersey or cap? This series will aim to identify the most accomplished Pepperdine student-athletes, number by number.
 
Today, the greats who played men's volleyball are listed, one through 24.
 
An important note on how the players were selected: Complete numerical rosters for men's volleyball only go back to 1975. In some cases, additional standout student-athletes from prior to those years may have been identified. Any student-athlete who received at least all-conference honors during this time, and others of note, were included based on current available information.
 
1

• Marty Nora (Minneapolis, Minn.) was an All-American in 1976.
• Mike Blanchard (Newport Beach, Calif.) was the NCAA Tournament MVP in 1978 and an All-American and all-conference first team selection in 1978 and 1979.
• Steve Friedman (Mission Viejo, Calif.) was the NCAA Tournament MVP in 1986. The outside hitter recorded 1,028 career kills.
• Greg Gaudino (La Crescenta, Calif./USC) was a standout in his one season with the Waves in 2007. After transferring in, he led Pepperdine in hitting (.438) from the middle blocker position while averaging 2.12 kills and 1.19 blocks per set.
• Tyler Jaynes (Granite Bay, Calif./Granite Bay HS) was all-conference honorable mention in 2010. A middle blocker, he appeared in 102 career matches and averaged 1.55 kills and 1.29 blocks per set.
• Matt West (Seattle, Wash./Shorewood HS) was a three-time All-American (twice on the first team in 2013 and 2015) and was a four-time all-conference selection (three times on the first team). The setter recorded 4,766 career assists (11.24 per set).
• Michael Wexter (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way West HS) earned All-American second team honors in 2019 and was an all-conference first team pick. The opposite averaged 3.46 kills and 2.00 digs per set as a senior and had a total of 700 kills in his four-year career.

2 

• Marv Dunphy (Topanga Canyon, Calif.), legendary head coach for 34 seasons, wore #2 for the Waves as a player in 1972 and 1973. He has been inducted into multiple Halls of Fame for his coaching, including the Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.
• Mike Cram (La Crescenta, Calif.) was an All-American in 1975.
• Jay Anderson (Waialae Kahala, Hawai'i) was a three-time All-American first team pick between 1977-79.
• Troy Tanner (Hacienda Heights, Calif.) was an All-American first teamer in 1986 and 1987 and second team in 1983. The setter/outside hitter averaged 3.96 kills per set as a junior and 4.16 as a senior. He would go on to win an Olympic gold medal with the U.S. in 1988 and would serve as the head coach of the Pepperdine women's team for the 2014 season. He was inducted into the Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011.
• Chris Jacobson (Lake Forest, Calif./El Toro HS) was an All-American second teamer in 1998. The middle blocker averaged 2.96 kills and 1.98 blocks per set that year and had 851 total kills in his four seasons.
• Keith Barnett (Naperville, Calif./Pierce CC) was an All-American second teamer in 2001. The setter/outside hitter averaged 12.83 assists, 1.10 kills and 1.19 blocks per set that season.

3 

• Rod Wilde (Fort Dodge, Iowa) began his career at #8 but later switched to #3, where he was an All-American first team selection in 1977 and 1978. He would later serve as the Waves' head coach and would lead Pepperdine to the 1986 NCAA title. He was inducted into the Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009.
• Peter Balding (Honolulu, Hawai'i) was an exceptional back-row specialist in 1980 and 1981.
• Rob Scott (Sunnyvale, Calif.) made the All-American first team in 1985 and second team in 1987. The middle blocker recorded 1,056 career kills and averaged 4.49 kills per set as a senior.
• Andy Hein (Carol Stream, Ill./West Chicago HS) made the All-American first team in 2005 and 2006. The middle blocker had career totals of 898 kills and 533 blocks. He averaged 2.93 kills and 1.59 blocks per set as a senior.

4 

• Mark Arnold (Costa Mesa, Calif.) was an All-American honorable mention selection in 1984. The middle blocker had 267 kills and 174 blocks that season.
• Matthew Pollock (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg HS) made all-conference honorable mention in 2012. He had 458 kills and 254 blocks in his four-year career. He is currently a Pepperdine assistant coach.

5 

• Ted Dodd (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) was an All-American in 1975 and 1976. He made the NCAA All-Tournament team in 1976, Pepperdine's first team to make the championships. He was inducted into the Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame in 1996.
• Brian Ehlers (San Pedro, Calif./Chadwick HS) earned All-American honorable mention notice in 1978 and was all-conference three times.
• Dain Blanton (Laguna Beach, Calif./Laguna Beach HS) earned All-American honorable mention in 1994. The outside hitter had career totals of 1,190 kills and 707 digs. He holds the school record for career digs per set (2.30). He was a two-time Olympian who won gold on the beach in 2000. He is currently the women's beach volleyball head coach at USC. He was inducted into the Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008.
• Beau Daniels (League City, Texas/Pierce CC) was an All-American first team selection in 2002. The setter averaged 14.05 assists as a senior.
• Cory Riecks (Auburn, Calif./Placer HS) made the All-American second team in 2010. The outside hitter had career totals of 1,143 kills and 410 digs.
• Matt Tarantino (Van Nuys, Calif./Bishop Alemany HS) was an All-American second team selection in 2016. The middle blocker/opposite recorded 796 kills and 333 blocks in his four seasons.
• Noah Dyer (San Clemente, Calif./Saddleback Valley Christian HS) picked up All-American honorable mention status in 2020. He averaged 2.84 kills per set this past season.

6 

• John Zabriskie (Honolulu, Hawai'i/Kalani HS) was all-conference second team in 1977 and honorable mention in 1978.
• Craig Buck (Tarzana, Calif.) made the All-American second team in 1980 before switching to #12 and earning All-American honors again. He went on to be a two-time Olympic gold medalist with the U.S. in 1984 and 1988. He was inducted into the Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame in 1985.
• Tom Sorensen (Racine, Wis./Racine Case HS) earned All-American first team honors in 1992 and 1993 – his third and fourth times being named an All-American after previously doing it at #7 and #9. The outside hitter had 2,207 career kills (#2 all-time at Pepperdine), plus 464 blocks, 429 digs and 155 aces. He was a 1996 U.S. Olympian. Sorensen was inducted into the Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015.
• Lee Bradford (Bakersfield, Calif./Pierce College) was all-conference honorable mention in 1995. The middle blocker averaged 6.22 kills per set that season.
• Brad Keenan (Westminster, Calif./Fountain Valley HS) was the National Player of the Year in 2002 and 2003 and a four-time All-American. He is Pepperdine's all-time leader in aces (187) and blocks (745) and had 1,198 career kills. He is currently the women's beach volleyball coach at Arizona State. He was inducted into the Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014.

7 

• Mark Rigg (Waialae Kahala, Hawai'i/Punahou School) was an All-American third teamer in 1977 and a three-time all-conference selection.
• Matt Rigg (Honolulu, Hawai'i) was a three-time All-American, including the first team in 1985. He was once Pepperdine's all-time kill leader with 1,539 (he's now seventh). He was inducted into the Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018.
• Tom Sorensen (Racine, Wis./Racine Case HS) earned his first All-American honor in 1990 as a freshman, then earned three more All-American awards at #9 and #6. The outside hitter had 2,207 career kills (#2 all-time at Pepperdine), plus 464 blocks, 429 digs and 155 aces. He was a 1996 U.S. Olympian. Sorensen was inducted into the Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015.
• Fred Winters (North Vancouver, B.C./Carson Graham HS) made the All-American first team in 2004 and the second team in 2003. The outside hitter had four-year totals of 1,525 kills, 602 digs and 367 blocks. He was a 2016 Olympian with Canada.

8 

• Rod Wilde (Fort Dodge, Iowa) made the all-conference second team in 1976 before having most of his success wearing #3. He was inducted into the Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009.
• Mike Fitzgerald (Goleta, Calif.) was an All-American honorable mention selection in 1984. He had 245 kills and 110 blocks that season.
• Randy Bergstedt (Covina, Calif.) was all-conference third team in 1988 and honorable mention in 1989. The outside hitter had 1,352 career kills. He was a CoSIDA Academic All-American in 1989.
• Kurt Nelson (Laguna Beach, Calif./UCLA) is fourth all-time in assists at Pepperdine with 3,938, which came between the 1997-2000 seasons.

9 

• Larry Vocke (Hermosa Beach, Calif./Torrance HS) is considered Pepperdine's first great player, as he competed on the inaugural 1971 team and again in 1972. He played in the Winston League and the International Volleyball League and was a many-time USVBA All-American.
• Robert McNutt (San Pedro, Calif.) was an All-American second teamer in 1984. The middle blocker posted 215 kills and 224 blocks that season.
• Tom Sorensen (Racine, Wis./Racine Case HS) earned four All-American awards at three different numbers, including #6 and #7. He wore #9 as a 1991 sophomore and made the second team. The outside hitter had 2,207 career kills (#2 all-time at Pepperdine), plus 464 blocks, 429 digs and 155 aces. He was a 1996 U.S. Olympian. Sorensen was inducted into the Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015.
• Alon Grinberg (Bat-Yam, Israel) was the NCAA Tournament MVP and made the All-American second team in 1992. The outside hitter averaged 4.80 kills per set in his only season with the Waves.
• J.J. Riley (Honolulu, Hawai'i/Punahou School) made the All-American second team in 1998. The setter collected 3,788 career assists. He averaged 15.62 per set as a junior and 18.78 as a senior.
• Andre Breuer (Berlin, Germany/Hawai'i) made the All-American second team in 2000. The outside hitter averaged 6.00 kills per set in his only season with the Waves.
• J.D. Schleppenbach (Ventura, Calif./Ventura HS) earned all-conference second team honors in 2010. The outside hitter had 908 career kills. He currently works at Pepperdine as the assistant dean for administration and executive finance director for the Law School.

10 

• Jeff Jordan (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) made the all-conference second team in 1975.
• Jeff Stork (Topanga, Calif.) made the All-American first team three consecutive years between 1982-84. He was a three-time Olympian with the U.S. and won gold in 1988. He is currently the women's head coach at CSUN. He was inducted into the Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008.
• Chip McCaw (Tulsa, Okla./Bishop Kelley HS) was a four-time All-American, making the first team in 1994. The setter had 3,674 career assists and averaged 16.94 per set as a senior. He was also a 2000 U.S. Olympian.
• George Roumain (Parkland, Fla./Santa Ynez HS) was the National Player of the Year in 1998 and 1999 and a three-time All-American first teamer. He is Pepperdine's all-time leader in kills (2,394). The outside hitter averaged 6.84 per set for his career and 8.55 per set as a senior. He was also a 2000 U.S. Olympian. He was inducted into the Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008.
• Kasey Crider (Granite Bay, Calif./Granite Bay HS) made the All-American first team in 2010. The setter had 3,989 career assists and averaged 14.05 per set as a junior.
• Scott Rhein (Pleasant View, Tenn./Aaron Academy) was all-conference honorable mention in 2015. The outside hitter had 255 kills that season.
• Kaleb Denmark (Redlands, Calif./Arrowhead Christian Academy) was All-American honorable mention in 2019. The outside hitter had 310 kills that season.

11 

• Doug Rigg (Honolulu, Hawai'i) made the All-American second team in 1988.
• John Mayer (Thousand Oaks, Calif./Pierce College) was a key part of the Waves' 2005 national champions. The opposite averaged 2.70 kills and 1.87 digs that season.
• James Gehrels (Tucson, Ariz./Salpointe Catholic HS) 2014-17) was an outside hitter from 2014-17 who now serves as Pepperdine's director of the Waves Athletic Fund.

12 

• Craig Buck (Tarzana, Calif.) switched from #6 in 1981 and earned his second All-American honor, this time making the first team. He went on to be a two-time Olympic gold medalist with the U.S. in 1984 and 1988. He was inducted into the Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame in 1985.
• Greg Shankle (Manhattan Beach, Calif./Mira Costa HS) was all-conference honorable mention in 1994. The outside hitter had 483 kills that season and finished with 815 in his career.
• Scott Wong (Pearl City, Hawai'i/Punahou School) was an All-American first team pick in 1999 and 2000 and was on the second team in 2001. The outside hitter had 1,700 career kills and is the program's career leader in digs with 807. He is now Pepperdine's head coach for the indoor women's volleyball team.
• Sean Rooney (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton South HS) was the National Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005, the 2005 NCAA Tournament MVP and a four-time All-American, three times on the first team. The outside hitter had 2,007 career kills and averaged 5.35 per set as a senior. He was a two-time Olympian who won gold with the U.S. in 2008. He was inducted into the Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014.
• Paul Carroll (Forster, Australia) was the National Player of the Year in 2009 and a three-time All-American first team pick. The opposite had 2,101 career kills and averaged 6.36 per set as a senior. He is currently the Waves' associate head coach.
• Maurice Torres (Riverside, Calif./Orange Lutheran HS) made the All-American second team in 2012 and 2013. The opposite had 1,634 kills in his four seasons, averaging 4.02 per set.

13

• Geoff Hart (Sydney, Australia) made the all-conference third team in 1989. The outside hitter had 1,391 career kills and averaged 5.04 per set for his three seasons.
• Parker Kalmbach (Coto de Caza, Calif./Tesoro HS) made the All-American second team in 2015. The middle blocker/opposite had 878 career kills.
• Max Chamberlain (Burbank, Calif./John Burroughs HS) was all-conference second team in 2018. The middle blocker hit .372 that season and posted 85 blocks.

14 

• Brian Merrick (Malibu, Calif./Santa Monica HS) earned All-American honorable mention status in 1990. The middle blocker had career totals of 947 kills and 399 blocks and had averages of 3.14 kills and 1.16 blocks that season.
• Kevin Barnett (Naperville, Ill./Pierce College) made the All-American second team in both 1996 and 1997. The outside hitter had 1,145 kills in his two seasons, averaging 5.87 kills per set. He was a two-time Olympian with the U.S.
• Tom Hulse (Evanston, Ill./Evanston Township HS) was all-conference honorable mention in 2007. The middle blocker hit .402 and averaged 1.77 kills and 1.81 blocks that season.
• Sean Grubbs (Newport Beach, Calif./Newport Harbor HS/Irvine Valley College) was all-conference honorable mention in 2009. The libero had 653 digs over his three seasons, averging 2.07 per set.
• Josh Taylor (Honolulu, Hawai'i/Punahou School) made the All-American first team in 2014 and 2015. The outside hitter had 1,433 career kills, including 4.01 kills per set in 2014. He is currently the women's volleyball head coach at Missouri.

15 

• Bob Ctvrtlik (Long Beach, Calif.) was the National Player of the Year, the NCAA Tournament MVP and an All-American first teamer in 1985. The outside hitter had 424 kills in his only season with the Waves. He went on to be a three-time Olympian with the U.S. and won gold in 1988. He was inducted into the Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009.
• Duane Cameron (Huntington Beach, Calif./Marina HS) was an All-American third teamer in 1993. The middle blocker/outside hitter had 910 career kills and averaged 4.05 kills per set that season.
• Jonathan Winder (Irvine, Calif./Woodbridge HS) was the National Player of the Year in 2007 and a four-time All-American, twice on the first team. The setter is Pepperdine's all-time leader in assists (5,118) and averaged 13.16 per set over four years. He was a CoSIDA Academic All-American in 2008. He is currently the head coach of the Fresno State women's volleyball team.

16 

• Clint Olson (Madison, Wis./West HS) was a CoSIDA Academic All-American in 2001 and 2002. The libero/outside hitter collected 467 career digs.
• John Parfitt (Anaheim Hills, Calif./Canyon HS) was all-conference honorable mention in 2006. The middle blocker/outside hitter had 1,015 career kills and averaged 4.16 kills per set that season.
• Max States (Honolulu, Hawai'i/Solimar Academy) was a super-sub and serving specialist from 2014-17.

17 

• Joshua Stewart (San Jose, Calif./Bellarmine College Prep/Pacific) saw more action than any other Wave who's worn #17, appearing in 57 matches and 185 sets from 2015-17. The setter had 1,287 career assists.

18 

• Kevin Wright (Chula Vista, Calif./Hilltop HS), who was on the 1993 and 1994 teams, now serves as Pepperdine's assistant athletic director for sports medicine.
• Brennan Anderson (Newport Beach, Calif./Corona del Mar HS/Ohio State) was All-American honorable mention in 2015. The libero had 467 digs in his two seasons with the Waves.
• Tommy Carmody (Orland Park, Ill./Carl Sandburg HS/Pacific) was All-American honorable mention in 2016. The middle blocker averaged 1.58 kills and 1.45 blocks that season.
• Rob Mullahey (Manhattan Beach, Calif./Mira Costa HS) was All-American honorable mention in 2019. The setter had 2,194 career assists.

19

• David Wieczorek (Chicago, Ill./Loyola Academy) was a three-time All-American between 2016-19 and a two-time MPSF Player of the Year. The outside hitter had 1,300 career kills, including 417 as a senior, and 413 digs.

20 

• Austin Wilmot (Valley Village, Calif./Crespi Carmelite HS/UC Irvine) earned All-American honorable mention status in 2020. The middle blocker hit .405 and averaged 1.90 kills and 1.12 blocks in his first season with the Waves.

21 

• Brent Schirripa (Los Angeles, Calif./Crespi Carmelite HS) has seen more action than any other Wave who's worn #21, appearing in 56 matches and 141 sets between 2006-10. The outside hitter recorded 100 kills as a senior.

22 

• Alex Harthaller (Innsbruck, Austria/IPFW) was All-American honorable mention and a CoSIDA Academic All-American in 2018. The outside hitter averaged 3.07 kills per set that season.

24 

• JT Ardell (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West HS) became the first Wave to wear #24 during the 2020 season and the middle blocker led the MPSF in blocking (1.31) last season.