Sunday, August 30
Malibu, Calif.
1:00 pm PT
Pepperdine University
3-0,0-0WCC
3
vs
2
Sacramento State
0-3,0-0Big West
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento St. | 16 | 16 | 25 | 25 | 12 | 2 |
| Pepperdine | 25 | 25 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 3 |
Photo by: Greg Bintz
Women's Volleyball Survives Sacramento State, Wins Thrilling Five-Set Match
8/30/2026 6:35:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
MALIBU, Calif. - Perfect weekend secured! The Pepperdine women's volleyball team (3-0) completed a three-game sweep of the Asics Classic at Firestone Fieldhouse with a heart-pounding five-set victory over Sacramento State (0-3) on Sunday afternoon.
The Waves looked like they would cruise after going up two sets to none before Sacramento State rallied and forced a fifth set. Pepperdine was able to escape with a victory thanks in part to Ella Piskorz's 14 kills.
Piskorz was named Tournament MVP, while teammates Tristen Raymond (best setter) and Chloe Pravednikov (best outside hitter) also garnered All-Tournament honors. Villanova's Campbell McKinnon was named best middle blocker.
"It was a great weekend for the Waves in all three matches against three really tough opponents," commented Head Coach Scott Wong. "Today presented some challenges, but it was a total team effort against a very good and gritty Sacramento State team."
It was a yin-and-yang battle in the opening set before kills from Nikola Gamlin and Addy Scheitlin put Sacramento State up 10-7. The blue and orange fought back with a remarkable 11-1 run capped by a set error from the Hornets' Kaylee Piepho, and the Waves led 18-11 in the blink of an eye. Moments later, Pepperdine would rattle off five consecutive points, with two coming off Nikol Dvornikova service aces. The Waves never looked back and took set one 25-16.
The tide began to turn against the Waves in set three as Sacramento State turned up the pressure. Eleanor Weeks tallied a service ace that knotted the set at 11, and from there the Hornets took command with an 8-3 run. Gamlin notched another kill and Charlee Lepp chipped in with another as Sacramento State forced a fourth set with a 25-20 victory.
Pepperdine would take an early 9-5 lead in set four but the wheels began to wobble after a pair of kills from Lepp and a Reese Ampi service ace pulled Sacramento State back within one. It was a seesaw battle from there, but another Gamlin kill and a Raymond attack error put the Hornets ahead for good as Sacramento State took the match to a fifth set.
The Waves found their footing again following the break and soon led 8-3 after a Piskorz kill. Makenna Wiepert helped the Hornets climb back into the contest again with a kill to pull within three, forcing Wong to call a timeout. Pepperdine would reconvene and finish it off after that, taking advantage of several attack errors and a service error. The Waves survived the late comeback attempt and remained undefeated with a five-set victory.
GAME NOTES
ABOUT PEPPERDINE WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Pepperdine women's volleyball has reached 26 NCAA Tournaments since 1981 as one of the most successful collegiate programs on the West Coast. The 12-time WCC Champions Waves have consistently produced top talent with 21 All-American selections with honorees in six straight decades. With multiple Olympians going through the program, Kim Hill brought home the program's first gold medal at the 2020 Olympic Games.
TICKETS
For more information on ticket packages and to purchase tickets for upcoming home events, visit here.
FOLLOW
To stay up-to-date on the latest Pepperdine women's volleyball news, follow the Waves on social media: @PepperdineWVB on Twitter/X, @pepperdinewvb on Instagram, and Pepperdine Women's Volleyball on Facebook.
The Waves looked like they would cruise after going up two sets to none before Sacramento State rallied and forced a fifth set. Pepperdine was able to escape with a victory thanks in part to Ella Piskorz's 14 kills.
Piskorz was named Tournament MVP, while teammates Tristen Raymond (best setter) and Chloe Pravednikov (best outside hitter) also garnered All-Tournament honors. Villanova's Campbell McKinnon was named best middle blocker.
"It was a great weekend for the Waves in all three matches against three really tough opponents," commented Head Coach Scott Wong. "Today presented some challenges, but it was a total team effort against a very good and gritty Sacramento State team."
It was a yin-and-yang battle in the opening set before kills from Nikola Gamlin and Addy Scheitlin put Sacramento State up 10-7. The blue and orange fought back with a remarkable 11-1 run capped by a set error from the Hornets' Kaylee Piepho, and the Waves led 18-11 in the blink of an eye. Moments later, Pepperdine would rattle off five consecutive points, with two coming off Nikol Dvornikova service aces. The Waves never looked back and took set one 25-16.
Set two would be identical on the scoreboard, as Pepperdine took care of business 25-16 to go up 2-0. The Waves had a firm grip on the entire set, carrying all the momentum after a Raymond kill had Pepperdine doubling up the Hornets 12-6. The blue and orange turned on the cruise control and coasted to another set win after an attack error by Gamlin.SET POINT, WAVES. MATCH POINT, WAVES ‼️#MakeWaves | @PepperdineWaves pic.twitter.com/9kI0YzL6MB
— Pepperdine Women's Volleyball (@PepperdineWVB) August 30, 2026
The tide began to turn against the Waves in set three as Sacramento State turned up the pressure. Eleanor Weeks tallied a service ace that knotted the set at 11, and from there the Hornets took command with an 8-3 run. Gamlin notched another kill and Charlee Lepp chipped in with another as Sacramento State forced a fourth set with a 25-20 victory.
Pepperdine would take an early 9-5 lead in set four but the wheels began to wobble after a pair of kills from Lepp and a Reese Ampi service ace pulled Sacramento State back within one. It was a seesaw battle from there, but another Gamlin kill and a Raymond attack error put the Hornets ahead for good as Sacramento State took the match to a fifth set.
The Waves found their footing again following the break and soon led 8-3 after a Piskorz kill. Makenna Wiepert helped the Hornets climb back into the contest again with a kill to pull within three, forcing Wong to call a timeout. Pepperdine would reconvene and finish it off after that, taking advantage of several attack errors and a service error. The Waves survived the late comeback attempt and remained undefeated with a five-set victory.
GAME NOTES
- Pepperdine's defense was solid all day, holding Sacramento State to a .143 hitting percentage.
- The Waves racked up 17.5 blocks, paced by Piskorz's nine. Raymond also had nine blocks and Irelynd Lorenzen added five.
- Each squad had eight aces.
ABOUT PEPPERDINE WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Pepperdine women's volleyball has reached 26 NCAA Tournaments since 1981 as one of the most successful collegiate programs on the West Coast. The 12-time WCC Champions Waves have consistently produced top talent with 21 All-American selections with honorees in six straight decades. With multiple Olympians going through the program, Kim Hill brought home the program's first gold medal at the 2020 Olympic Games.
TICKETS
For more information on ticket packages and to purchase tickets for upcoming home events, visit here.
FOLLOW
To stay up-to-date on the latest Pepperdine women's volleyball news, follow the Waves on social media: @PepperdineWVB on Twitter/X, @pepperdinewvb on Instagram, and Pepperdine Women's Volleyball on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballTeam Stats
SacSt
PEP
Kills
57
49
Errors
35
19
Attempts
154
128
Hitting %
.143
.234
Points
72.0
74.5
Assists
52
45
Aces
8
8
Blocks
7
17.5
Game Leaders
Kills
14
Aces
2
Blocks
9
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Kills
4
Aces
0
Blocks
9
