#14 Beach Volleyball Begins 2022 Campaign in Bakersfield

Friday, February 25

Bakersfield, Calif.

12:00 p.m. PT

Pepperdine University

Pacific

Photo by: Sarah Otteman

#14 Beach Volleyball Begins 2022 Campaign in Bakersfield

2/23/2022 5:14:00 PM | Women's Beach Volleyball

By: by Athletic Communications

MALIBU, Calif. – The Pepperdine beach volleyball team, ranked 14^th in the AVCA coaches preseason poll, will open the 2022 campaign at the Barnes Beach Complex Runner Invite this weekend. The Waves will kick things off against Pacific and Vanguard on Friday, before challenging tournament-host CSU Bakersfield on Saturday.

DUAL 1: Friday (February 25) in Bakersfield, Calif.: #14 Pepperdine vs. Pacific at 12 p.m. PT.

DUAL 2: Friday (February 25) in Bakersfield, Calif.: #14 Pepperdine vs. Vanguard at 4 p.m. PT.

DUAL 3: Saturday (February 26) in Bakersfield, Calif.: #14 Pepperdine at (RV) CSU Bakersfield at 12 p.m. PT.

COVERAGE: The duals throughout the tournament will not have live stream or live scoring available. Updates made available can be found on Twitter @WavesBeachVB. Additionally, go to PepperdineWaves.com for recaps, results, updates and more.

FAN ATTENDANCE & GUIDELINES: Per CSU Bakersfield: fans are welcomed to Barnes Beach Complex this Spring and admission to CSUB's beach volleyball matches is free. Social distancing is recommended and when that is not possible, fans should wear face maskes. CSUB Athletics' General Fan Attendance Policies are always in effect and can be found here: https://gowav.es/3vedEG2.

LOOKING AHEAD: Next week, the Waves will make the short trip to Irvine to take on Concordia and Cal State LA on Saturday, March 5.
WAVES WEATHER: Friday's weather report states a high of 61º and a mainly sunny sky with light winds. Temperatures will drop later in the day as sun sets at 5:45 p.m. Saturday calls for a high of 67º with mainly sunny skies and winds running North at five to 10 miles per hour.

WAVE REPORT: The Waves return 10 players, including six who had big roles in the 2021 lineup. Seniors on the squad are Melanie Paul, Simone Priebe, Peyton Lewis and Savana Greene. Juniors are Mary Sinclair and Brigid Rasmussen, and sophomores include Cameron Baklenko, Kristine Briede, Gracie Pedersen and Jordan Benoit.

Pepperdine also welcomes nine newcomers, including Pepperdine women's volleyball indoor standout libero Madison Shields and Tulane transfer Rio Frohoff. The list of strong freshmen includes: Jacquelyn Strawn, Kate Clermont, Chase Curry, McKenna Thomas, Madison Oriskovich, Bella Mullin and Juju Quintero.

OPPONENT NOTES: Tournament-host CSU Bakersfield is currently receiving votes in the AVCA coaches preseason poll. The duals this weekend will be the Roadrunners' first of the 2022 campaign. All-time, the Waves have gone 6-0 against CSUB, all of which have been accomplished by straight 5-0 sweeps including three in Malibu and three on neutral sand.

Vanguard began the season with a 4-0 record including 5-0 victories over San Diego Christian, Life Pacific, Ouaz and Hope International. Last season, the Waves faced off with the Lions for the first time in program history, defeating them 5-0 at home.

The duals this weekend will be the first for West Coast Conference foe Pacific as well. All-time, the Waves have posted a 3-0 record against the Tigers, all with 5-0 sweeps including one in Malibu and two on neutral sand.

PRESEASON POLLS: Pepperdine will enter the season ranked #14 in the AVCA preseason poll.

FOLLOW: Follow @WavesBeachVB on Facebook and Twitter for updates and check on PepperdineWaves.com for full results, recaps and more. Follow @peppbeachvolley on Instagram for an inside look at the Waves' team culture and check out @PepperdineWaves for the scoop on all the Waves' programs throughout the year.