MALIBU, Calif – Home court advantage is historically touted as one of the most impactful advantages a team can have – particularly in the postseason.
Although Firestone Fieldhouse’s capacity is just over 3,000 people – 10,000 less than Pauley Pavilion’s – low-ceilings and a student section teeming with hundreds of Pepperdine students created a hostile environment for the Bruins.
Despite posting more kills, digs, blocks, service aces and a higher hitting percentage No. 1 seed UCLA (20-6, 10-2 MPSF) fell in five sets to No. 4 seed and tournament hosts Pepperdine (19-9, 7-5) in the MPSF semifinals on Friday at the Firestone Fieldhouse. The defeat ended the Bruins’ MPSF title hopes – marking the second consecutive year falling as the top seed – and will need an at-large bid to clinch a spot in the NCAA tournament.
A flurry of net violations coupled with a poor reception and passing performance kept the Bruins from turning the match in their favor.
“It’s not one play here and there – it’s like death by 1,000 paper balls,” said coach John Hawks. “We had lots of opportunities to play that match early, and we didn’t take care of some easy plays.”
Despite the outcome, the pin hitting duo of freshman Sean Kelly and junior Zach Rama combined for 24 kills to bolster the Bruins’ attack.
Yet, it was their performance from the service line that stood out, recording five aces in the first set alone, allowing the Bruins’ to take an early lead. The squad finished with 15 aces while the Waves sported just four.
Heading into the MPSF tournament, Rama registered over 18 kills in three out of the last four matches while hitting above a .450 clip in each contest. The Phoenix, Arizona, local boasted three aces, 16 digs and 11 blocks during this span as well. Rama also showcased his versatility Friday evening, playing as the Bruins’ opposite to open up room for Kelly to start at one of the outside hitter spots.
“I’m getting comfortable with my new position on the right side, and I’m so proud of the way (Kelly) balled out all season,” Rama said.
The freshman had to earn his bid into the starting rotation, playing in just 15 sets across the squad’s first 11 games. In the last four matches, Kelly has played in 12 sets and was on the court for every point against Pepperdine.
The Bruins’ fortified attack was met by Waves outside hitter Ryan Barnett who sported a team-high 21 kills on a .447 hitting percentage. Joining Barnett was opposite – and MPSF Freshman of the Year – Cole Hartke who boasted 13 kills alongside two aces and six digs.
Barnett and Hartke have spearheaded Pepperdine’s .340 hitting percentage – ranking seventh in the nation – and the former sports a top-20 ranking in kills per set with a 3.78 clip.
Despite leading in every important statistical category – including nine more kills, 11 more aces and double the amount of blocks – the Bruins’ fell short in the blocking error department, posting four blocking errors compared to just one from the Waves.
The inadequacy from the block forced Hawks to relegate redshirt junior middle blocker Sean McQuiggan to the bench after sporting a negative hitting percentage in the first set. Sophomore middle blocker Micah Wong Diallo replaced McQuiggan despite only playing in eight sets during the regular season. The Los Angeles local posted four kills and three blocks on a .600 clip against the Waves.
Diallo’s efforts helped limit Pepperdine to a .230 team hitting percentage – its fourth lowest mark this season. Despite the loss, Hawks added that the experience of getting upset in the conference tournament semifinals will only help the squad in the long run.
“These are such great experiences for those guys, and they’re only going to keep getting better from here,” Hawks said.
Allowing underclassmen to get experience could be especially important since the Bruins currently have nine upperclassmen on the roster who are set to leave the program in the next couple years.
However, it is possible that the Bruins have played their final set of the 2025 season, needing an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament after losing out on the automatic conference victory bid.
“We’re trying to stay together and just move forward in any way that we can,” Rama said.
