MALIBU, Calif. — Head Coach Jonathan Winder and the Pepperdine men's volleyball team's coaching staff announced the addition of four Waves for the 2024 roster.  The program will welcome Jack and Ryan Graves, Matt Mazur and Tyler Stewart.
 
"We are thrilled about this group of seniors that are going to join our program next fall," said Winder.  "As we worked to put together this class, we were looking for the right athletes with high character, high level skill, and potential to grow over the next four years of their career.  These young men all love the game and are passionate to win.
 
"All in all, it is a great group of guys who I believe will represent Pepperdine well off the court and be leaders on the court.  Over the course of their time at Pepperdine I know they will all have an immensely positive impact on our program."
 
From Irvine, Calif., Jack Graves will graduate from Arnold O. Beckman High School this spring after playing as an outside hitter.  Graves helped the Beckman squad win the Tesoro tournament in the elite division this year.  He played club for A4 Volley, while also competing as a USA NTDP member, helping his 16-under team to a USA Boys Junior National Championship third place finish and earning a spot on the All-Tournament team in the process.  He led his 17-under squad to an AAU National Championship third place finish and was named to the All-Tournament team the following year as well.  Chose Pepperdine because he "wanted to be a part of Pepperdine's rich history and tradition of winning."
 
"Jack is a fantastic outside hitter that has always helped his teams find a way to win," said Winder. "He competes well and his ability to control the ball as an outside hitter are what sets him apart."
 
Jack will not be the only Graves on the squad next year either as his brother Ryan will play alongside him and the Waves this season.  Jack and Ryan are part of a triplet with their sister Madi.  The pair helped Beckman to a CIF Division I and State semifinal appearance in 2022 and CIF Division 2 semifinalist finish in 2021, while propelling their team to Pacific Coast League Championship titles in those same years.
 
Ryan Graves will also join the Waves after graduating from Arnold O. Beckman High School. While playing for Beckman, Graves earned All-Orange County first team acclaim in 2022 and All-CIF and All-League first team honors in 2022 while also garnering Pacific Coast League MVP status.  Graves currently holds Beckman's single-season assist record of 1,252 in the 2022 season. Graves has played for A4 Volley for six years and has also been a USA NTDP member for the past two years.  He was on the AAU Boys 17u team and USAV 16's squad alongside his brother and also tabbed a spot on the All-Tournament teams.  Graves also propelled the squad to SoCal Cup Winter 17 Open and The Showcase 17 Open championship crowns in 2021 and 2022 and was the Tournament MVP on both occasions.  Chose Pepperdine because "of the amazing coaches, team atmosphere, and the ability to succeed at the highest level as both a student and a volleyball player."
 
"Ryan is a fantastic leader and competitor in the setting position," Winder said.  "He can run a fast offense and is able to get the most out of his teams."
 
Originally from Lancaster, N.Y., Matt Mazur will graduate from Lancaster High School after playing for the Legends for six years, having played both volleyball and basketball since the 7th grade. He has been named MVP of his team, selected to the All WNY first team, and was the recipient of the All-WNY First Team Sportsmanship Award. At the club level, he played for Niagara Frontier Volleyball and was named to the 2023 JVA All-National Team.  He was invited to attend the USA Volleyball Indoor Winter Training Series as well, and competed at the SoCal Cup Tournament this past January.  Mazur said, "I'm excited to come to the West Coast for a great education and develop my skills under the guidance of the amazing coaches and players on the Pepperdine team."
 
"Matt has shown amazing strides over the past years to develop into a high-level lefty opposite," said Winder.  "He has elite size and physicality in that opposite position, along with a blue-collar work ethic which will serve him well in the coming years."
 
Coming from Broomfield, Colorado, Tyler Stewart will be joining Pepperdine after graduating from Prospect Ridge Academy. Stewart has played for Front Range Volleyball Club for four years as a setter and trains with USA'S National Development Program. He was selected for the 2021 U17 NTDP Training Series and has been on the AVCA High Risers List.  He helped his squad to a fifth-place finish at the SoCal Cup in 2021-22, and also finished third at the USAV Beach 14 Open in 2019.  Chose Pepperdine because of the "high level of coaching, the challenging academics, and the culture that the team creates. Pepperdine offers such an inviting and character-building atmosphere, and I am grateful that I get to be a part of the school's history."
 
"Tyler is an experienced setter, a really good athlete and all-around player" Winder said.  "He's a great teammate who has played just about every position for his club team over the years. He's a high-level volleyball athlete."