California Baptist University
Pepperdine
Waves of Momentum
2/28/2014 4:32:00 AM | Men's Volleyball
RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- Facing its seventh ranked team in a row, California Baptist University knew it would have its worked cut out for itself Thursday night. The Lancers also knew they could put up a fight with the No. 4-ranked team in NCAA, since they had done it before.
The Lancers fought valiantly, but couldn't hold off Pepperdine's rallies, dropping three sets to the visitors (25-23, 25-23, 25-19). With the defeat, CBU falls to 3-12 overall, 2-11 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, while the Waves improve to 9-3 on the season and in conference.
Johannes Brink led the Lancers with 11 kills, with Joel Blocksom following closely behind at nine—and adding three service aces. Jackson Burge also came close to double-digits with eight kills.
With the first time these two squads still fresh in their minds, CBU came out looking for vengeance as it leaped out in front 4-0 to open the match. Amir Lugo-Rodriguez started the run with a kill and Joel Blocksom added two service aces—something the Lancers couldn't quite seem to grab the first time against the Waves.
Despite the four-point lead, Pepperdine battled back into the set and evened the score for the first time at 13-13, stringing together three-straight points.
CBU built back its multi-point lead at 22-19 off a service error committed by the Waves, but Pepperdine bounced back in a big rally to finish the set on a 6-1 run for the win.
The second frame looked eerily similar as the Lancers once again jumped out in front by four to open the set, but ultimately dropped the 25-23 defeat.
Pepperdine took less time to tie the score, evening it at four a piece off two kills, an ace and a CBU error. The score proceeded to be tied 10 more times during the set, with the lead exchanging three times.
CBU found itself down by three at 21-18, but Lugo-Rodriguez and Brink teamed up to deny a Pepperdine attack, and Brink followed with a solo kill to put the set within one at 21-20. The Waves held off the Lancers, however, claiming the second 25-23.
Desperate for a set victory, the Lancers found themselves in troubled waters early after Pepperdine snagged the first two points of the set. A service error turned the ball over to the Lancers, but CBU couldn't keep it on its side of the net, despite strong defensive efforts from Brett Anderson.
The Waves built up a three-point lead, but the Lancers remained in the fight to bring the score within reach at 12-11. Pepperdine answered with a point of its own, but Lugo-Rodriguez grabbed a kill and Blocksom sent a service bouncing off the net to drop on the other side of the net for an ace, tying the set at 13-13.
Pepperdine built back its lead, however, putting itself closer and closer to set and match point. Trailing 23-17, a service error turned over the ball to the Lancers, but the Waves stole the sideout point to be at match point at 24-18. Another service error kept CBU in the set, but Pepperdine ended the match on the next play with a kill from the middle.
CBU continues its home stand with a pair of matches next week, first taking a break from conference action. The Lancers first host St. Francis on Tuesday at 7 p.m., before taking on Cal State Northridge on Thursday with the same start time.
