SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – Pepperdine beach volleyball (16-10) finished second amongst seven schools at the West Coast Challenge. The tournament, contested from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, was composed exclusively of West Coast Conference members.

 

Following their victories over Portland and Santa Clara yesterday, Team 15 was locked into the gold bracket today. After defeating Saint Mary's 4-1 the Waves advanced to the championship match against No. 8 Loyola Marymount. There, they ultimately fell to the Lions, 5-0.

 

"I'm confident of our improvement following this weekend of WCC showdowns," said head coach Marcio Sicoli. "We were tested by both the elements and injuries. Our team responded to the moment and finished second. I look forward to the back half of our season where we will demonstrate our improved ability to capitalize on opportunities and possess a winning mentality. Go Waves!"

 

Pepperdine 4, Saint Mary's 1

This morning the Waves continued their hot start, clinching their match against the Gaels after three.

 

Perez and Snow started the scoring with 21-14 and 21-15 wins on court two.

 

Next were Eden and Cyrani, who powered past their opponents with a pair of 21-16 rallies.

 

Court three saw the freshman flight propel their team to the tournament championship. Mancuso and Jagielska took the point in straight sets, 21-18 and 21-17. 

 

Merlini and Erickson were the lone duo to need three against SMC. They fell behind 21-17, but an identical score in the second—this time in their favor, prompted the tie-breaker. Here, they traded blows with the Gaels before quelling the drama, 15-12. 

 

The final point was not completed due to an injury. Pepperdine forfeited the remainder of the duel and ended the game 4-1. Saint Mary's was awarded the final point because prior to the stoppage of play because they were leading.

 

1: E. Eden/M. Cyrani (PEPP) def. G. Bane/H. Couch (SMC) 21-16, 21-16

2: G. Perez/M. Snow (PEPP) def. C. Klein/A. Bour (SMC) 21-14, 21-15

3: S. Mancuso/A. Jagielska (PEPP) def. A. Silverthorn/A. Legaspi (SMC) 21-18, 21-17

4: E. Erickson/G. Merlini (PEPP) def. I. Johnson/B. Reyes (SMC) 17-21, 21-17, 15-12

5: H. Glick/B. Nolan (SMC) def. E. Bubelis/D. Woodruff (PEPP) 17-15 DNF 

 

Order of finish: 2, 1, 3*, 4, 5 

 

Pepperdine 0, Loyola Marymount 5

The Waves fell to the Lions in straight sets.

 

Snow and Perez needed extra rallies to decide their first set. They reached 21, but were outpaced by LMU's Piret and Rabitsch who scored 23. 

 

Filling in for injury, Bella Avelar made her second start of the season. She joined Emma Bubelis on court five. Despite the outcome already decided, the two played with their hearts on their sleeves during the Waves' final set of the tournament. Although they ultimately lost the point, they rallied back-and-forth against their opponents in a 24-22 display of team and perseverance. 

 

K. Stevenson/A. Pelloia (LMU) def. E. Eden/M. Cyrani (PEPP) 21-18, 21-11

I. Piret/M. Rabitsch LMU) def. G. Perez/M. Snow (PEPP) 23-21, 21-15

J. Brach/C. Hooker (LMU) def. G. Merlini/E. Erickson (PEPP) 21-15, 21-18

M. Krukzek/J. Schaekel (LMU) def. A. Jagielska/S. Mancuso (PEPP) 21-12, 21-16

E. Davis/K. McAlister (LMU) def. B. Avelar/E. Bubelis (PEPP) 21-14, 24-22

 

Order of finish: 3, 1, 2*, 4, 5

 

Pepperdine is back at it next Friday for the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Tournament. They will face ULM, Cal State Bakersfield, Tarleton State, and TAMU-CC across two days of doubleheaders beginning April 3. 

 

ABOUT PEPPERDINE BEACH VOLLEYBALL

Established in 2011, Pepperdine beach volleyball quickly rose to national prominence, winning two national championships in three years (2012, 2014) while reaching the final four in five of its first six seasons. Joining the WCC ahead of the 2016 season with the sport becoming NCAA-sanctioned, the Waves won the inaugural and first three WCC Championships while reaching eight straight conference championship games from 2016-24. The program has consistently recruited top talent in the sport, with 21 student-athletes garnering All-American honors since 2012.

 

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