MALIBU, Calif. – The Pepperdine men’s volleyball team secured a decisive victory Tuesday night, sweeping Vanguard 25-12, 25-14, and 25-21 in the first-ever matchup between the two Southern California squads. The win improves Pepperdine’s record to 6-2 overall and 1-0 in MPSF play, while Vanguard falls to 3-7 and 0-4 in conference action.
Head coach Jonathan Winder emphasized the importance of consistent serving and passing in the Waves’ performance. “We served and passed really well tonight,” Winder said. “And Cole did some awesome things for us. We did a nice job to be prepared and play a good clean match to get our first win in league play.”
The first set was dominated by Pepperdine, fueled by a strong service game. The Waves registered six aces, three from Andrej Polomac, and capitalized on Vanguard’s errors. A 6-0 run, capped by a serve from Jensen Pascua in his collegiate debut, sealed the set 25-12. Cole Hartke led the Waves’ attack in the first with four kills, supported by Ryan Barnett’s three.
Pepperdine’s offense reached its peak in the second set, hitting an impressive .684 with 14 kills on 19 attempts. Hartke was particularly effective, recording six kills on a perfect 1.00 hitting percentage. Jose Gomez contributed with a strong serving stretch, accounting for a third of the Waves’ serves and adding one of two aces in the set. William Whidden, making his season debut, added the other ace as Pepperdine took the set 25-14.
The third set proved to be the most competitive of the night, with both teams displaying more balanced offensive efforts. While Pepperdine narrowly outhit Vanguard .444 to .435, the set was characterized by fewer errors and a tighter scoreline. Gomez led the Waves with six kills, while Barnett added five. Hartke contributed three aces, including two crucial serves to close out the match 25-21.
Pepperdine finished the match hitting .492 as a team. Ryan Barnett was the most efficient attacker, recording a team-high 11 kills with a .625 hitting percentage. Hartke led the team with four aces, followed by Polomac with three. Gomez and Polomac tied for the team lead in digs with four each, while James Eadie recorded the lone solo block of the night.
The Waves’ victory comes as they prepare to host No. 15 UC Santa Barbara this weekend in a double-header with the men’s basketball team. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. On , with streaming available on ESPN+ and live stats at www.pepperdinewaves.com.
This win marks a strong start to MPSF play for Pepperdine, a program steeped in collegiate volleyball history. The Waves boast five NCAA National Championships, four of which were secured under Hall of Fame coach Marv Dunphy, who amassed 612 victories in 34 seasons. With 19 NCAA appearances and 63 All-Americans, Pepperdine has consistently attracted top talent. Under current head coach Jonathan Winder, the Waves reached the NCAA Final Four in .
The matchup against Vanguard was the first between the two programs, signaling a potential new rivalry in Southern California collegiate volleyball. Pepperdine’s dominant performance showcased their offensive firepower and efficient serving, setting a positive tone as they navigate a challenging MPSF schedule.
