Pepperdine sweeps BYU in MPSF semifinals

MALIBU, Calif. — BYU men’s volleyball lost in straight sets (25-17, 25-23, 25-18) to one-seed Pepperdine in the MPSF semifinals at Firestone Fieldhouse, ending the 2019 season for the Cougars.

BYU vs. Pepperdine Box Score

Davide Gardini and Gabi Garcia Fernandez both had 10 kills and four digs, while Miki Jauhiainen added four blocks and Brody Earnest had 20 assists.

The Cougars (13-12, 6-6 MPSF) kept it within one, 11-10 early in the first set, but the Waves (21-6, 9-3 MPSF) were able to pull away to a 16-11 lead soon after. Pepperdine ended up taking the opening game, 25-17.

BYU once again kept it close with a 10-9 score in the second set, but fell behind by as many as five before bringing it back within two, 15-13 on a Pepperdine error. The Cougars once again fell behind by five, but came back and forced a Pepperdine timeout at 21-19. The Waves maintained the lead, however, and took the second set, 25-23.

MPSF Player of the Year David Wieczorek got his 14th kill of the night to give Pepperdine a 10-6 lead early in the third set. The Waves soon extended their lead to seven, 16-9, on an error from the Cougars. Gardini and Garcia Fernandez both reached double-digit kills in the third set, but it wasn’t enough as the Waves took the set and the match, 25-18.

Pepperdine goes on to play the winner of the USC and UCLA match on Saturday in the MPSF championship.