MALIBU, California — The #5 Pepperdine men's volleyball team moves on to its next Big West opponent when the Waves face UC Irvine in a home-and-home this week.

MATCH #7 — Wednesday (February 9) at Firestone Fieldhouse in Malibu, California: #5 Pepperdine (4-2) vs. UC Irvine (3-7) at 7 p.m.

MATCH #8 — Friday (February 11) at the Bren Events Center in Irvine, California: #5 Pepperdine at UC Irvine at 7 p.m.

WATCH/ONLINE — Wednesday's home match will be streamed via WaveCasts on the WCC Network, while Friday's match at UCI will be shown on ESPN+. Links to broadcasts and live stats can be found at PepperdineWaves.com.

HOME MATCH TICKET POLICIES — Due to L.A. County health rules, proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test (a PCR test taken within the previous 48 hours or an antigen test taken within the previous 24 hours) is required to attend Pepperdine home men's volleyball matches. Masks are required indoors. Tickets are available via e-ticket ONLY and must be purchased online before arriving onto campus. To purchase e-tickets and/or read the spectator guidelines and COVID-19 policies, visit: https://gowav.es/WavesTix. Due to campus construction, nearby parking may be limited and guests are advised to arrive early.

OPPONENT — Pepperdine is 55-26 all-time against UC Irvine. The programs are meeting for the first time since the 2019 season. The schools split the two-match season series in both 2018 and 2019. The Waves are 30-10 in Malibu and 25-16 in Irvine. Austin Wilmot takes on his former school for the first time.

LAST MATCH — The Waves' first road match of the season resulted in a four-set loss at #11 UC Santa Barbara on Friday as the Gauchos swept the two-match season series. Jacob Steele had a match-high 17 digs. The Waves were outhit .296 to .195.

NATIONAL STATS — The Waves are in the top 10 in the nation in aces (2.10, third), blocks (2.55, fifth), kills (12.57, sixth) and hitting (.329, ninth) ... Austin Wilmot is third in hitting (.473) and fifth in blocks (1.20) ... Jacob Steele is fourth in hitting percentage (.473) ... Bryce Dvorak is sixth in assists (10.19) and 10th in aces (0.57).

IN-SEASON HONORS — Bryce Dvorak and Austin Wilmot swept the MPSF Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week awards, respectively, on January 17 after two wins against Erskine.

MILESTONES — Jaylen Jasper is approaching 1,000 career kills (the first 917 came at Stanford, he's now at 971).

ABOUT PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY — Pepperdine boasts a one-of-a-kind athletic department with unprecedented success for a school of its size. The Waves have won NCAA Division I championships in five different men's sports — one of just 18 schools to have accomplished this feat — and 10 overall. Of this elite group, Pepperdine has the smallest undergraduate enrollment, is the only school without football and is the only university that has not been affiliated with a "major" conference. The Waves have won a total of 26 team or individual national championships in their history. Pepperdine has also earned the Division I-AAA All-Sports Trophy, an award based on postseason success that's given to the top non-football school, three times (most recently in 2011-12). Located in scenic Malibu, California, the university overlooks the Pacific Ocean and its campus and athletic facilities are regularly voted among the nation's most beautiful. Pepperdine, which is affiliated with the Church of Christ, ranks #49 overall on U.S. News and World Report's list of America's best colleges.