Photo by: Greg Bintz
Women's Volleyball Signs Mariia Nikol Dvornikova
8/6/2026 2:45:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
MALIBU, Calif. - Pepperdine women's volleyball has signed Mariia Nikol Dvornikova (Mar-ee-ah Deh-vorn-ee-koh-vuh), as announced this afternoon by Head Coach Scott Wong.
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The freshman becomes the 20th and final member of the 2026 roster and joins a class of a half-dozen other first-year collegiate players.
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"Nikol is a mature young lady that has played a lot of volleyball in her life and has a great passion for it," said Wong. "She will add to our ability to score from any place on the court and we sure are glad she is in Malibu!"
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The Moscow, Russia native graduated from the Private Institution of General Education. She played with clubs Zarechie Odintsovo and VC Morum. Mariia won numerous medals at club tournaments, including bronze in 2022 and silver in 2025 at the Russian League U20. In 2025, Dvornikova earned bronze at the Russian SuperLeague and Russian Cup II before becoming a gold medalist at the Russian Cup U20. She most recently earned a silver medal at the Russian Vischaya Liga A.
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"I am happy to join the amazing Pepperdine volleyball program," said Dvornikova. "I like how the team competes and the environment is very supportive. Go Waves!"
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Pepperdine will start its season with an open scrimmage at Firestone Fieldhouse against UCLA on Saturday, August 15. The Waves will have the following two weeks to prepare for the regular season opener on August 28 against Villanova, which also marks the beginning of the Asics Classic at Firestone Fieldhouse.
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Flex plan and single game tickets will go on sale in the near future, with the 2026 promotional schedule also set to be unveiled soon.
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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.
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TICKETS
For more information on ticket packages and to purchase tickets for upcoming home events, visit here.
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FOLLOW
To stay up-to-date on the latest Pepperdine women's volleyball news, follow the Waves on social media @PepperdineWVB.
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The freshman becomes the 20th and final member of the 2026 roster and joins a class of a half-dozen other first-year collegiate players.
Â
"Nikol is a mature young lady that has played a lot of volleyball in her life and has a great passion for it," said Wong. "She will add to our ability to score from any place on the court and we sure are glad she is in Malibu!"
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The Moscow, Russia native graduated from the Private Institution of General Education. She played with clubs Zarechie Odintsovo and VC Morum. Mariia won numerous medals at club tournaments, including bronze in 2022 and silver in 2025 at the Russian League U20. In 2025, Dvornikova earned bronze at the Russian SuperLeague and Russian Cup II before becoming a gold medalist at the Russian Cup U20. She most recently earned a silver medal at the Russian Vischaya Liga A.
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"I am happy to join the amazing Pepperdine volleyball program," said Dvornikova. "I like how the team competes and the environment is very supportive. Go Waves!"
Â
Pepperdine will start its season with an open scrimmage at Firestone Fieldhouse against UCLA on Saturday, August 15. The Waves will have the following two weeks to prepare for the regular season opener on August 28 against Villanova, which also marks the beginning of the Asics Classic at Firestone Fieldhouse.
Season tickets are available for purchase, which are $109 ($8.39 per match). Courtside seats are also available for $260 ($20 per match). Season-ticket packages offer premium value for fans, and season-ticket holders are essential to the gameday atmosphere that makes Firestone Fieldhouse one of the most electrifying venues in college volleyball.Practice makes permanent.
— Pepperdine Women's Volleyball (@PepperdineWVB) August 6, 2026
📸 | https://t.co/AHN5IOtcxl#MakeWaves | @PepperdineWaves pic.twitter.com/pshvz6dE2U
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Flex plan and single game tickets will go on sale in the near future, with the 2026 promotional schedule also set to be unveiled soon.
Â
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.
Â
TICKETS
For more information on ticket packages and to purchase tickets for upcoming home events, visit here.
Â
FOLLOW
To stay up-to-date on the latest Pepperdine women's volleyball news, follow the Waves on social media @PepperdineWVB.
Players Mentioned
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