The No. 6 Pepperdine men's volleyball team (17-4, 8-0 MPSF) prepares for a pivotal two-match series against No. 1 UCLA (20-0, 8-0 MPSF), starting Thursday in Malibu before heading to Westwood for the rematch on Saturday. The Waves are aiming to secure top positioning in the MPSF conference, riding the momentum of consecutive wins against No. 9 BYU, highlighted by Ryan Barnett's record-setting performance. Both teams lead the conference in key statistics, spotlighting a matchup between UCLA's top offense and Pepperdine's premier defense.

By the Numbers
  • Pepperdine stands at 17-4 overall, undefeated in MPSF play (8-0).
  • UCLA remains unbeaten at 20-0, also holding an 8-0 MPSF record.
State of Play
  • Both teams are vying for first place in the MPSF conference.
  • Pepperdine boasts an average of 2.44 blocks per set, ranking second in the MPSF.
  • The Waves have only lost to ranked opponents this season, maintaining a perfect conference record.
What's Next

Following the matches against UCLA, Pepperdine will focus on its final six regular season games as it seeks to solidify its potential for a deep run in the NCAA tournament, which has expanded to include 12 teams this year.

Bottom Line

This highly anticipated series not only impacts current standings but also sets the stage for potential postseason implications, emphasizing the importance of strong performances from both sides ahead of tournament play.