Michael Wexter, an All-American and Pepperdine men's volleyball alumnus, was hired as an assistant coach to the Pepperdine women’s volleyball coaching staff in February 2024. He enters his second season on the women's coaching staff in 2025.
His first season on the women's sideline saw the Waves go 17-11 against a challenging non-conference schedule and finish third in the WCC standings. Thanks to the efforts of Grace Chillingworth and Birdie Hendrickson, Pepperdine had arguably the most productive offensive duo in the league; Chillingworth's 3.94 kills per set ranked second in the WCC, while Hendrickson's mark of 3.55 kills per set ranked third. Both seniors earned All-WCC First Team nods. Freshman middle blocker Ella Piskorz also put together one of the most impressive debut seasons in program history, becoming the first Wave to make the All-WCC First Team and the All-WCC Freshman Team since 2016. Trinity Stanger (WCC Second Team) and Chloe Pravednikov (WCC All-Freshman Team) rounded out the Waves' all-conference award winners.
While joining the women's side, Wexter also finished out a full 2024 spring season with the Waves' men's volleyball program.
“Michael is a perfect fit for our program as he deeply values relationships, knows how to coach the game at a high level, and is a tireless worker that will continue to pursue excellence in his coaching,” said Pepperdine women's volleyball Head Coach Scott Wong at the time of his hiring.
He helped lead the men’s program to a 17-11 overall record throughout the 2024 campaign. The Waves finished in fifth-place in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation after compiling a 5-7 record against league competitors.
“I am stoked that I can stay in Malibu and work for my alma mater and so grateful to the men’s staff for letting me grow as a coach with them,” said Wexter at the time of his hiring. “Thank you to Scott for the opportunity to help continue what he has built with Pepperdine women’s volleyball. Each day he creates a winning culture that is one of the best in the country and I am beyond excited that I get to be a part of such an awesome group.”
Wexter graduated from Pepperdine in 2019 after a standout four seasons as an outside hitter and opposite for the Waves, including AVCA All-American honorable mention and Volleyball Magazine All-American second team honors in his senior campaign. He was also an All-MPSF first team selection in 2019 and honorable mention in 2018. Wexter appeared in 86 matches and 303 sets throughout four seasons with the blue and orange, marking 700 kills and averaging 2.31 kills/set on a .311 clip. He also averaged 1.26 digs, 0.56 blocks and 0.23 aces per set.
Wexter had also competed as a member of the U.S. Men's Junior National Team from 2015 to 2020 prior to and during his time with the Waves. After Pepperdine, he played professionally for Helios Grizzlys Giesen in Hildesheim, Germany. Since then, he returned to the Southern California area, coaching for various club teams and ages, as well as working in sales development for Swell Energy and as a technical recruitment consultant with Piper Maddox.
