Pepperdine University Athletics

Pepperdine Scholar-Athlete – 2021
WCC Commissioner’s Honor Roll ‘Gold’ Honors – 2021
 
PEPPERDINE 2021: Played in nine matches as a true feshman … Won two three-set matches against UC Davis alongside fellow freshman Gracie Pedersen … Also played in six matches in the No. 6 position, going 3-3 overall with two left unfinished … Alongside Calista Wright in the exhibition slot, defeated pairs from both #10 Stanford and #12 Cal in straight-sets … Also defeated a pair from Concordia in two sets with partner Kristine Briede.
 
USA VOLLEYBALL/CLUB: Most recently played for Oaks Volleyball Club and Elite Beach, while having previously played for Island Thunder and Thunder Elite Beach … Helped her team to a gold medal at the U12 USA Beach National Championships and was a member of both A1 and A2 USA beach teams.
 
HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated from Westlake High School in 2020 … Also attended Eastside Catholic High School from 2016-18 … Lettered three years for the indoor squad as a utility player under Jennifer Baklenko and Ernest Rittenhouse in the Metro 3A and Marmonte Leagues … Earned Indoor League co-MVP honors in her senior year while serving as team captain … Totaled 200 digs, 178 kills, 20 solo blocks and averaged a 96% serving consistency in her senior season … In her junior campaign, amassed 54 aces, a .273 hitting percentage, 140 digs and 164 kills en route to an All-League first team accolade … Also picked up Beach Volleyball MVP pair in her junior season … As a freshman, garnered an All-League first team nod as a setter … Helped lead WHS to Marmonte League Champion status two years in a row … Also played basketball in her freshman campaign … Earned the Highest Honors Academic Achievement, was a National Honors Society nominee, a Dean’s List honoree and maintained a 4.38 GPA with AP and honors.
 
PERSONAL: Majoring in pre-business administration … Daughter of Jennifer and Scott Baklenko … Has two siblings, Luke and Anya … Her mother, Jennifer, is a coach and teacher’s aide at Westlake High School … Her mother also played collegiate indoor volleyball at San Diego and played professionally indoor and on the sand on the WPVA and in the 4-person tour … Chose Pepperdine because “Pepperdine felt like home.  It is where I can challenge myself through athletics, academics and faith to live a life of greater purpose.”
 
FAVORITE: Misty May (pro athlete) … Boston Red Sox (pro team) … Ocean’s 11 (movie) … Grey’s Anatomy (tv show) … Jack Johnson (musical artist) … chocolate (food) … soccer (sport other than soccer) … outdoors and being active, hiking, paddle-boarding, swimming, yoga, painting, cooking, traveling and being with loved ones (hobbies).