Thursday, April 23
Provo, Utah
4:00 p.m. PT
Pepperdine University
23-6,13-1MPSFMVB
2
vs
3
University of Southern California
19-6,9-5MPSFMVB
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern California | 21 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 16 | 3 |
| Pepperdine | 25 | 21 | 20 | 25 | 14 | 2 |
Photo by: Kelly Nugent
No. 4 Men’s Volleyball Drops the MPSF Semifinal in Five to No. 6 USC
4/23/2026 8:38:00 PM | Men's Volleyball
PROVO, Utah – The No. 4 Pepperdine men's volleyball team (23-6, 13-1 MPSF) fell in five to No. 6 USC (19-6, 9-5 MPSF) in the third match against the Trojans this week.
"Frustrating loss tonight as we didn't play our best, but still gave ourselves some chances to win," head coach Jonathan Winder said. "The guys battled and kept fighting back which is a good sign. Certainly USC played at a very high level with their middles and passing. We had a tough time with that all night and needed to serve more aggressively."
"I sure think our team has been playing tough all season and hopefully we get a chance to compete in the ncaa tourney next week."
The Trojans defense was unbelievable with a total of 19.5 blocks to shut down Pepperdine's offense all night. However, the Waves started the night on the right foot to take the seventh straight set from USC. Six kills from Cole Hartke and Ryan Barnett gave the Waves a set they did not trail in from the jump. Andrej Polomac went on a run behind the service line to open the night as Pepperdine took a 4-0 lead, never looking back. Despite five Trojan blocks, the Waves took set one 25-21.
USC evened the score by taking set two. The Waves spread the love with five different players recording kills, with Hartke leading the charge notching four. In a back-and-forth set with a night-high eight ties, the Trojans made the final push to take the second 25-21.
In the most lopsided set of the night, USC took their second in a row. Hartke recorded five of the Waves nine blocks as the offense struggled to operate in-system. Out-blocked 2.0 - 4.0, any attempted rhythm on Pepperdine's end seemed to be shut down immediately. Pepperdine was able to stay competitive in the set thanks to seven Trojan serving errors, but ultimately dropped the third 25-20 to fall behind 2-1 in the match.
With backs against the wall, the Waves delivered. Hartke recorded a team-leading six kills followed closely by Grant Lamoureux who had five. Hartke went on a six point service run behind the line to give Pepperdine the three-point lead they would hold on to in the set win. Headed to a fifth, the Waves secured the fourth 25-22.
Starting the fifth down 0-3, Pepperdine worked from a deficit nearly the whole way. Not going down without a fight, the Waves rallied behind back-to-back aces from Lamoureuz to take the first lead of the set 14-13. However, without a block in the final set, the Trojans put up 4.0 to take points on both sides of the ball, withstanding momentum fluxes and winning the fifth 16-14. This is Pepperdine's first loss to the Trojans this season as the two met for the third time in a week's span.
Ending the MPSF run in the Semifinals, Pepperdine finishes 23-6, 13-1 MPSF as co-regular season champions. The Waves will tune into the NCAA Selection Show Sunday at 1 p.m. to learn their fate if selected as one of five at-large bids for the tournament.
PEPPERDINE VS. USC
PEPPERDINE ATTACK BY SET
Set K E TA Pct
1 17 6 32 .344
2 13 7 27 .222
3 9 6 23 .130
4 14 6 33 .242
5 10 5 20 .250
USC ATTACK BY SET
Set K E TA Pct
1 10 4 22 .273
2 12 2 25 .400
3 14 4 24 .417
4 13 7 37 .162
5 8 0 17 .471
GAME NOTES
• Cole Hartke led the team in kills and accuracy, notching 26 kills on a .367 hitting clip.
• Andrej Polomac took care of 56 of the total 63 assists tonight.
• The Waves had five aces tonight, including back-to-back dimes from Grant Lamoureux.
• Pepperdine was outhit .244 to .320
• The Waves were out-blocked 8.5 - 19.5, the most blocks the program has allowed in over seven years.
• Hartke tallied the most digs with 10 as well as blocks, being a part of six.
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.
FOLLOW
To stay up-to-date on the latest Pepperdine men's volleyball news, follow the Waves on social media @PepperdineMVB_ .
"Frustrating loss tonight as we didn't play our best, but still gave ourselves some chances to win," head coach Jonathan Winder said. "The guys battled and kept fighting back which is a good sign. Certainly USC played at a very high level with their middles and passing. We had a tough time with that all night and needed to serve more aggressively."
"I sure think our team has been playing tough all season and hopefully we get a chance to compete in the ncaa tourney next week."
The Trojans defense was unbelievable with a total of 19.5 blocks to shut down Pepperdine's offense all night. However, the Waves started the night on the right foot to take the seventh straight set from USC. Six kills from Cole Hartke and Ryan Barnett gave the Waves a set they did not trail in from the jump. Andrej Polomac went on a run behind the service line to open the night as Pepperdine took a 4-0 lead, never looking back. Despite five Trojan blocks, the Waves took set one 25-21.
USC evened the score by taking set two. The Waves spread the love with five different players recording kills, with Hartke leading the charge notching four. In a back-and-forth set with a night-high eight ties, the Trojans made the final push to take the second 25-21.
In the most lopsided set of the night, USC took their second in a row. Hartke recorded five of the Waves nine blocks as the offense struggled to operate in-system. Out-blocked 2.0 - 4.0, any attempted rhythm on Pepperdine's end seemed to be shut down immediately. Pepperdine was able to stay competitive in the set thanks to seven Trojan serving errors, but ultimately dropped the third 25-20 to fall behind 2-1 in the match.
With backs against the wall, the Waves delivered. Hartke recorded a team-leading six kills followed closely by Grant Lamoureux who had five. Hartke went on a six point service run behind the line to give Pepperdine the three-point lead they would hold on to in the set win. Headed to a fifth, the Waves secured the fourth 25-22.
Starting the fifth down 0-3, Pepperdine worked from a deficit nearly the whole way. Not going down without a fight, the Waves rallied behind back-to-back aces from Lamoureuz to take the first lead of the set 14-13. However, without a block in the final set, the Trojans put up 4.0 to take points on both sides of the ball, withstanding momentum fluxes and winning the fifth 16-14. This is Pepperdine's first loss to the Trojans this season as the two met for the third time in a week's span.
Ending the MPSF run in the Semifinals, Pepperdine finishes 23-6, 13-1 MPSF as co-regular season champions. The Waves will tune into the NCAA Selection Show Sunday at 1 p.m. to learn their fate if selected as one of five at-large bids for the tournament.
PEPPERDINE VS. USC
PEPPERDINE ATTACK BY SET
Set K E TA Pct
1 17 6 32 .344
2 13 7 27 .222
3 9 6 23 .130
4 14 6 33 .242
5 10 5 20 .250
USC ATTACK BY SET
Set K E TA Pct
1 10 4 22 .273
2 12 2 25 .400
3 14 4 24 .417
4 13 7 37 .162
5 8 0 17 .471
GAME NOTES
• Cole Hartke led the team in kills and accuracy, notching 26 kills on a .367 hitting clip.
• Andrej Polomac took care of 56 of the total 63 assists tonight.
• The Waves had five aces tonight, including back-to-back dimes from Grant Lamoureux.
• Pepperdine was outhit .244 to .320
• The Waves were out-blocked 8.5 - 19.5, the most blocks the program has allowed in over seven years.
• Hartke tallied the most digs with 10 as well as blocks, being a part of six.
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.
FOLLOW
To stay up-to-date on the latest Pepperdine men's volleyball news, follow the Waves on social media @PepperdineMVB_ .
Team Stats
USC
PEP
Kills
57
63
Errors
17
30
Attempts
125
135
Hitting %
.320
.244
Points
80.5
76.5
Assists
54
63
Aces
4
5
Blocks
19.5
8.5
Game Leaders
Kills
26
Aces
1
Blocks
6
Kills
13
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
9
Aces
2
Blocks
1
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Men's VolleyballOH/OPP
/ Men's VolleyballOH
/ Men's Volleyball
S
/ Men's Volleyball
