Cougars End Two-Match Losing Streak; Upset Third-Ranked Pepperdine, 3-2.

MALIBU -- The sixth-ranked BYU men's volleyball team ended its longest losing streak since the 1998 season on Saturday, handing third-ranked Pepperdine its first loss of the season, 7-15, 7-15, 15-7, 15-11, 17-15.

After dropping the first two games of the match, the Cougars (8-3, 5-3) rallied back behind the leadership of senior Casey Jennings, who recorded a double-double performance with a season-high 30 kills and 10 digs. Jennings also contributed five blocks. Junior Matt Olsen also posted a double-double, adding 19 kills and 10 blocks. The BYU defense played a big roll in the game-three turnaround, forcing 12 Pepperdine hitting errors. The Waves (5-1, 3-1) hit just .158 in game three.

In addition to Jennings' 30 kills and Olsen's 19, three other Cougars reached double figures in kills, including Mike Wall (17), Jaime Mayol (19) and Scott Bunker (19). Libero Brad Goldston added 18 digs for the BYU defense, while senior Chris Pitzak paced the Cougar offense with 89 assists.

The Cougars return to Provo this weekend, playing host to No. 8 Loyola Marymount on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 11-12. Friday's match will begin at 7 p.m., while Saturday's contest is slated to begin at 5 p.m. (MST) in the Smith Fieldhouse. BYU head coach Carl McGown will be gunning for career win no. 150.