Thursday, April 16
Los Angeles, CA
7:00 p.m. PT
Pepperdine University
21-5,12-1MPSFMVB
3
at
0
University of Southern California
17-5,9-4MPSFMVB
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperdine | 25 | 25 | 29 | 3 |
| Southern California | 21 | 23 | 27 | 0 |
Photo by: Kelly Nugent
No. 4 Men’s Volleyball Sweeps No. 6 USC on the Road
4/16/2026 11:20:00 PM | Men's Volleyball
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The No. 4 Pepperdine men's volleyball team (21-5, 12-1 MPSF) took three straight sets against No. 6 USC (17-5, 9-4 MPSF) to sweep the Trojans in the first of two meetings to close out the regular season.
"What great resolve and poise from our guys tonight," head coach Jonathan Winder said. "Some tight moments and things didn't always go our way, but they stayed with it and kept just playing good volleyball over time. Super proud of our effort on the road and determination to make the plays to win. So many people contributed at critical moments tonight, and especially from the service line where we did a wonderful job."
"Excited to finish the season at home in Firestone one more time!!" Winder continued, previewing the Farewell Firestone match to take place in Malibu Saturday with a first serve time of 6 p.m.
Jose Gomez opened the night on a high note for the Waves, serving up an ace to get the match started in Pepperdine's first chance behind the service line. The Waves played at a deficit for the majority of the opening set, taking the lead at 18-17 thanks to kills from Ryan Barnett and Cole Hartke in addition to Trojan errors. The set ended on an ace from Hartke as he and Barnett combined for 12 total points in the first. After a 25-21 victory, the visiting Waves held a 1-0 advantage.
Opposite to the first, the second set had a good number of service runs from both teams. Hartke went on the longest run for the Waves down the stretch, giving Pepperdine the lead for the first time in the second at 15-13. With a team hitting percentage of .391, Barnett was a monster with five kills at a rate of .571 to lift the Waves to a set win. In the same fashion as set one, a Hartke ace secured a 25-23 victory for Pepperdine as well as a 2-0 match advantage.
With 19 ties and six lead changes in the third and final set, it was anyone's to win. Neither team led by more than three the entire set as it was coming down to a game of inches with five challenges in the third set alone. Between 17 kills, the offensive duties were split fairly evenly among the squad with Hartke leading the way with six. As the set went to extra points, it would be Pepperdine's defense that won it. Off a Gomez serve, a block off the hands of James Eadie, with the help of Hartke, secured the third set 29-27, as well as the 3-0 sweep on the road. The Waves are now 12-1 in conference play, still tied at the top of the table with No.1 UCLA.
There is just one match left in the regular season as Pepperdine hosts the No. 6 USC Trojans Saturday night in the Farewell Firestone match in Malibu, the last time the men's volleyball program will play in the historic building. Saturday has a first serve time of 6 pm pst with doors opening at 4:30 pm in anticipation of a large crowd. Fans are encouraged to show up early to grab a commemorative replica Marv Dunphy court while supplies last. The match will be available to stream on B1G+ (subscription required). Live stats will be available at www.pepperdinewaves.com.
PEPPERDINE VS. USC
PEPPERDINE ATTACK BY SET
Set K E TA Pct
1 15 5 28 .357
2 12 3 23 .391
3 17 5 35 .343
USC ATTACK BY SET
Set K E TA Pct
1 9 4 25 .200
2 17 4 26 .500
3 15 6 33 .273
GAME NOTES
• Cole Hartke and Ryan Barnett split the leading attacking title tonight, both notching 15 kills.
• Barnett led the team in accuracy, hitting .400.
• Andrej Polomac notched all but one assist tonight, 42 of the total 43.
• With seven service aces, Hartke led the team with three.
• The Waves were unblocked 5.0 - 8.5 tonight.
• James Eadie had a hand in a night-high four blocks, including the one to end the match.
• Jacob Reilly and Hartke had the most digs tonight with five apiece.
• The Waves outhit the Trojans .360 to .321 tonight.
• Tonight's sweep is Pepperdine's 12th of the season.
• The win tonight marks head coach Jonathan Winder's 75th of his Pepperdine career.
ABOUT PEPPERDINE MEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Pepperdine men's volleyball boasts one of the richest histories in collegiate volleyball, with five NCAA National Championships. Four of those championships came under the direction of Hall of Fame coach Marv Dunphy who totaled 612 victories in 34 seasons at the helm. With 19 NCAA Appearances and 63 All-Americans, the program has consistently been a destination for top talent across the country. Under current head coach Jonathan Winder, the Waves reached the NCAA Final Four in his third season at the helm in 2025.
TICKETS
For more information and to purchase tickets to upcoming home events, visit here.
FOLLOW
To stay up-to-date on the latest Pepperdine men's volleyball news, follow the Waves on social media @PepperdineMVB_ .
"What great resolve and poise from our guys tonight," head coach Jonathan Winder said. "Some tight moments and things didn't always go our way, but they stayed with it and kept just playing good volleyball over time. Super proud of our effort on the road and determination to make the plays to win. So many people contributed at critical moments tonight, and especially from the service line where we did a wonderful job."
"Excited to finish the season at home in Firestone one more time!!" Winder continued, previewing the Farewell Firestone match to take place in Malibu Saturday with a first serve time of 6 p.m.
Jose Gomez opened the night on a high note for the Waves, serving up an ace to get the match started in Pepperdine's first chance behind the service line. The Waves played at a deficit for the majority of the opening set, taking the lead at 18-17 thanks to kills from Ryan Barnett and Cole Hartke in addition to Trojan errors. The set ended on an ace from Hartke as he and Barnett combined for 12 total points in the first. After a 25-21 victory, the visiting Waves held a 1-0 advantage.
Opposite to the first, the second set had a good number of service runs from both teams. Hartke went on the longest run for the Waves down the stretch, giving Pepperdine the lead for the first time in the second at 15-13. With a team hitting percentage of .391, Barnett was a monster with five kills at a rate of .571 to lift the Waves to a set win. In the same fashion as set one, a Hartke ace secured a 25-23 victory for Pepperdine as well as a 2-0 match advantage.
With 19 ties and six lead changes in the third and final set, it was anyone's to win. Neither team led by more than three the entire set as it was coming down to a game of inches with five challenges in the third set alone. Between 17 kills, the offensive duties were split fairly evenly among the squad with Hartke leading the way with six. As the set went to extra points, it would be Pepperdine's defense that won it. Off a Gomez serve, a block off the hands of James Eadie, with the help of Hartke, secured the third set 29-27, as well as the 3-0 sweep on the road. The Waves are now 12-1 in conference play, still tied at the top of the table with No.1 UCLA.
There is just one match left in the regular season as Pepperdine hosts the No. 6 USC Trojans Saturday night in the Farewell Firestone match in Malibu, the last time the men's volleyball program will play in the historic building. Saturday has a first serve time of 6 pm pst with doors opening at 4:30 pm in anticipation of a large crowd. Fans are encouraged to show up early to grab a commemorative replica Marv Dunphy court while supplies last. The match will be available to stream on B1G+ (subscription required). Live stats will be available at www.pepperdinewaves.com.
PEPPERDINE VS. USC
PEPPERDINE ATTACK BY SET
Set K E TA Pct
1 15 5 28 .357
2 12 3 23 .391
3 17 5 35 .343
USC ATTACK BY SET
Set K E TA Pct
1 9 4 25 .200
2 17 4 26 .500
3 15 6 33 .273
GAME NOTES
• Cole Hartke and Ryan Barnett split the leading attacking title tonight, both notching 15 kills.
• Barnett led the team in accuracy, hitting .400.
• Andrej Polomac notched all but one assist tonight, 42 of the total 43.
• With seven service aces, Hartke led the team with three.
• The Waves were unblocked 5.0 - 8.5 tonight.
• James Eadie had a hand in a night-high four blocks, including the one to end the match.
• Jacob Reilly and Hartke had the most digs tonight with five apiece.
• The Waves outhit the Trojans .360 to .321 tonight.
• Tonight's sweep is Pepperdine's 12th of the season.
• The win tonight marks head coach Jonathan Winder's 75th of his Pepperdine career.
ABOUT PEPPERDINE MEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Pepperdine men's volleyball boasts one of the richest histories in collegiate volleyball, with five NCAA National Championships. Four of those championships came under the direction of Hall of Fame coach Marv Dunphy who totaled 612 victories in 34 seasons at the helm. With 19 NCAA Appearances and 63 All-Americans, the program has consistently been a destination for top talent across the country. Under current head coach Jonathan Winder, the Waves reached the NCAA Final Four in his third season at the helm in 2025.
TICKETS
For more information and to purchase tickets to upcoming home events, visit here.
FOLLOW
To stay up-to-date on the latest Pepperdine men's volleyball news, follow the Waves on social media @PepperdineMVB_ .
Team Stats
PEP
USC
Kills
44
41
Errors
13
14
Attempts
86
84
Hitting %
.360
.321
Points
56.0
54.5
Assists
43
37
Aces
7
5
Blocks
5
8.5
Game Leaders
Kills
15
Aces
1
Blocks
2
Kills
15
Aces
3
Blocks
0
Kills
7
Aces
1
Blocks
4
Kills
6
Aces
2
Blocks
3
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Men's VolleyballMB
/ Men's VolleyballOH
/ Men's VolleyballOH/OPP
/ Men's Volleyball
S
/ Men's Volleyball
L
/ Men's Volleyball
