Pepperdine University Athletics

MitchellPenning_CareerStats 

PEPPERDINE CAREER: Three-time MPSF All-Academic performer and four-time Pepperdine Scholar-Athlete ââ'¬¦ After four seasons donning the Waves' uniform, Penning has played in 269 total sets and started in 70 matches of 72 matches played ââ'¬¦ He boasts a .381 hitting percentage after smashing down 395 kills with only 93 errors on 796 swings ââ'¬¦ Penning averages 1.48 kills/set, 0.17 aces/set, 0.36 digs/set, 2.24 points/set and 1.06 blocks/set ââ'¬¦ The middle blocker has also amassed 16 assists, 46 aces, 94 digs, 286 total blocks including 17 solo rejections and 592 total points ââ'¬¦ He ranks in the Pepperdine records for the third highest hitting percentage all-time in the rally scoring era with a .846 with (11-0-13) against BYU (3/20/15), while in the same game his career-high kills match ââ'¬¦ He tied his career-high kill match in his senior campaign with 14 kills against UC Santa Barbara (2/8/17) ââ'¬¦ He amassed a career-best nine blocks against UCLA (2/11/17) ââ'¬¦ He put down a career-high five aces against Cal Baptist (4/4/15).

PEPPERDINE 2017: MPSF All-Academic ââ'¬¦ Pepperdine Scholar-Athlete ââ'¬¦ Started in 21 of the Waves 22 matches during the season ... Amassed 1.58 kills/set, 0.16 aces/set, 0.44 digs/set and 1.07 blocks/set in his senior campaign ââ'¬¦ Led the squad with 91 total blocks, including six solo rejections ââ'¬¦ Totaled 134 kills with only 27 errors on 258 attempts for a .415 success rate ââ'¬¦ Also posted 14 aces and 37 digs ââ'¬¦ Tied his career-high 14-kill output against UC Santa Barbara (2/8) ââ'¬¦ Rejected a career-best nine blocks against UCLA at home (2/11) ââ'¬¦ Posted a season-high .714 attack output with 11 kills and one error on 14 swings at Hawai'i (2/24) ââ'¬¦ Picked up double-figure kills three times.

PEPPERDINE 2016: MPSF All-Academic ââ'¬¦ Pepperdine Scholar-Athlete ââ'¬¦ Started and played in 23 matches with 86 sets played ââ'¬¦ Averaged 1.53 kills/set, 2.22 points/set, 0.95 blocks/set, 0.34 digs/set and 0.20 aces/set ââ'¬¦ Posted a .394 offensive success rate with 132 kills and only 30 errors in 259 swings ââ'¬¦ Also tabbed 17 aces, 29 digs, 82 blocks including two solo rejections and four assists for 191 points ââ'¬¦ Finished the season ranked 31^st in the nation and 12^th in the MPSF with 0.95 blocks/set ââ'¬¦ Led the Waves in blocks on six occasions, aces in five matches and hitting percentage four times ââ'¬¦ Picked up a career-high eight blocks twice, first at CSUN in three sets (2/3) and again at UC Santa Barbara in four sets (4/6) ââ'¬¦ Collected a season-best 10 kills and a .778 hitting percentage against at UC San Diego (3/2) ââ'¬¦ Tallied a season-high four aces against Hawaii (1/15).

PEPPERDINE 2015: The Waves' most improved player from 2014, going from a non-travelling squad member as a freshman to a full-time starter as a sophomore ... Appeared in 28 matches and 97 sets, earning starting bids in 26 contests ... Averaged 1.33 kills per set while hitting .333 ... Paced the Waves with 1.16 blocks per set to rank ninth in the MPSF ... Earned 11 kills off of 13 error-free swings vs. BYU (3/20) for a career-high hitting percentage of .846 ... Hitting percentage rates fourth in Pepperdine's single-match record book ... Charted 10 kills, hitting .412 vs. Harvard (3/17) ... Posted a season-best seven blocks in back-to-back matches vs. Cal State Northridge (1/21) and Long Beach State (1/24) ... Scored five aces vs. Cal Baptist (4/4) ... Season totals include 129 kills, nine assists, 15 aces, 28 digs, 113.0 blocks and 205.0 points ... MPSF All-Academic Scholar-Athlete ... Pepperdine Scholar-Athlete.

PEPPERDINE 2014: Made collegiate debut vs. Cal Baptist (2/22) ... Appeared in one match and one set as a freshman ... Pepperdine Scholar-Athlete

USA VOLLEYBALL: Selected to the U.S. Boys' Youth National Team in 2012.

CLUB: Member of the STL High Performance Volleyball Club.

HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated from Westminster Christian Academy in 2013 ... Played four seasons of varsity volleyball for head coach Jean Evans ... Saw action as a middle blocker, outside hitter and right side hitter ... Averaged 5.45 kills/set and 1.56 blocks/set as a senior ... Senior-year accolades include Missouri All-State first team and Most Valuable Player ... Also named to the Saint Louis All-Metro first team ... Named to Volleyball Magazine's "Underclassmen to Watch" list in 2012 ... Named to the 2012-13 AVCA Boys' High School Senior All-America first team ... Volleyball Magazine Boys' High School All-American second team selection.

PERSONAL: Son of David and Debra ... Younger brother of Kelly and Marci ... Born in Peoria, Ill. ... Grew up in St. Louis, Mo.. ... Majoring in religion ... Chose Pepperdine because of its "academics, coaching, great team dynamics, location, religion and future opportunities."

FAVORITES: Favorite pro athlete is Karch Kiraly ... Favorite book is the Bible ... Favorite tv show is NCIS ... Favorite food is steak ... Favorite movie is Anchorman ... Favorite sport other than volleyball is water polo ... Biggest sports hero is Kevin Durant.