Box Score

MALIBU, Calif. – The University of Hawai'i men's volleyball team saw its three-match win streak come to an end in a 30-26, 34-32, 30-26 loss to No. 2 Pepperdine, Friday night, in the first of two crucial Mountain Pacific Sports Federation matches at Firestone Fieldhouse.

 

The Warriors (14-8, 10-7 MPSF) were led by opposite Jonas Umlauft's 20 kills on .359 hitting. Middle blocker Matthew Rawson and outside hitter Joshua Walker each pounded 11 kills. Rawson hit a team-high .529 and had four blocks while Walker served two aces but hit only .030.

 

The Waves (13-5, 11-4), winners of 12 of their last 13 matches, were led by Cory Riecks' 17 kills while Maurice Torres added 14 kills and three blocks. Pepperdine out-hit UH, .333 to .200 and out-blocked the Warriors, 13.5 to 7.5.

 

Pepperdine pulled out Set 1 by breaking a 22-22 tie with four straight points, aided by a pair of hitting errors by Umlauft.

 

The pivotal second set featured 13 ties and 10 lead changes most of which occurred after the Warriors rallied from a 16-10 deficit. In fact, UH scored five straight during one point to take a 25-22 lead. The Warriors were closing in the set with a 28-24 lead before the Waves scored four straight, including a pair of blocks by Tyler Jaynes. After a Brennon Dyer kill, Riecks fended off UH's first set point and once again at 32-31. Pepperdine pulled out the set when Rawson was stuffed one-on-one by Rodnei Santos.

 

In Set 3, the Waves jumped out to a 13-8 lead. The Warriors rallied again and tied the game at 18 following back to back kills by Dyer and Umlauft. The teams traded side-outs until 26-26 when the Waves' big block, led by Torres, stuffed Walker on three straight points to end the match.

 

The two teams play again on Saturday. First serve is 7:00 p.m. PT (4:00 p.m. HT) at Firestone Fieldhouse.