MALIBU, California — The #8 Pepperdine men's volleyball team has a crucial week ahead in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation play. The Waves are still in contention to win the regular-season title and host the MPSF Tournament, but it will require two wins this week against top-ranked UCLA.

MATCH #22 — Thursday (April 7) at Firestone Fieldhouse in Malibu, California: #8 Pepperdine (14-7, 5-3) vs. #1 UCLA (17-3, 7-1) at 7 p.m.

MATCH #23 — Saturday (April 9) at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, California: #8 Pepperdine at #1 UCLA at 6 p.m.

WATCH/ONLINE — Thursday's match can be watched online via WaveCasts on the WCC Network, while Saturday's can be seen on Pac-12 Los Angeles. Links to broadcasts and live stats can be found at PepperdineWaves.com.

HOME MATCH TICKET POLICIES — As of April 1, L.A. County regulations will no longer require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to attend indoor volleyball matches at Pepperdine. Masks are recommended, but not required. 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 45-83 all-time against UCLA. The Waves won two of three last season, including the match at home and an MPSF Tournament semifinal at BYU. Since 2014, the Waves have an 8-6 advantage. Pepperdine's last win at UCLA was in 2015 (four straight losses). The Waves' last win against a #1 team was 2016 at BYU. The last time Pepperdine played a #1-ranked UCLA team, the Waves won in three at home in 2014.

LAST WEEK — Pepperdine split its first three MPSF series and finally came through with a weekend sweep in a pair of three-set victories against Concordia. The Waves hit .413 over the two matches, including .528 on Saturday in Malibu. Bryce Dvorak averaged 13.17 assists and 2.00 digs and Jaylen Jasper averaged 5.33 kills.

NATIONAL STATS — The Waves are in the top 10 in the nation in kills (13.18, third), hitting (.346, fourth), blocks (2.43, seventh) and aces (1.62, eighth) ... Bryce Dvorak is fourth in assists (10.78) and eighth in aces (0.51) ... Austin Wilmot is ninth in blocks (1.09).

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.