The No. 9 BYU women’s volleyball team earned another home victory, defeating Pepperdine in a four-set (25-17, 18-25, 25-21, 25-21) match on Tuesday.
The Cougars improved to a 14-1 record thanks to a strong defensive effort. Kennedy Redding led the defense with a career-high of nine blocks and Mary Lake contributed 24 digs.
Leading the offense was Veronica Jones-Perry who collected 23 kills and Lyndie Haddock who had double-double of 43 assists and 15 digs.
“Offensively, the team took some great swings, and Lyndie Haddock did a great job getting the hitters in rhythm,” said BYU coach Heather Olmstead.
Jones-Perry has had double-digit kills in the majority of games this season. When asked how she’s had such success, Jones-Perry said, “I just go up and take the best swing I can and the kills come.”
Cosy Burnett also picked up seven of the team’s season-high 17 blocks. In the four games, the Cougars had 60 digs against the Waves.
Back-to-back McKenna Miller kills helped the Cougars take an 8-3 lead early in the first set. Pepperdine (9-6, 1-1 WCC) had a 4-1 run to get within four of BYU, down 10-6.
A pair of errors by the Waves then moved the Cougars ahead 19-12, forcing a timeout from the Waves. A Miller save and Jones-Perry kill brought up set point, and another Jones-Perry kill secured the set for BYU, 25-17.
Pepperdine took an early lead in the second set with a pair of blocks and a service ace to go up 6-2.
A Miller kill brought the Cougars within two of the Waves, down just 15-13.
However, Pepperdine steadily maintained its lead and won the set 25-18 following a pair of blocks.
The Cougars were down 5-2 early in the third set, but a 9-1 run gave them an 11-6 lead after a pair of Jones-Perry kills.
Pepperdine chipped away at BYU’s lead after several kills, tying the score at 18-18.
A Cougar team effort, capped off by a Danelle Stetler and Burnett block, gave them a 23-18 and a Burnett kill closed the set, 25-21, for BYU.
Consecutive Jones-Perry kills followed by straight Burnett kills moved the Cougars ahead 5-3 early in the fourth set.
BYU maintained its lead with Miller and Jones-Perry kills.
Pepperdine came back to tie the set 16 apiece but kills by Miller, Taylen Ballard, Redding and Jones-Perry pushed the Cougars ahead 22-18. BYU closed the final set 25-21 with a Jones-Perry kill.
BYU will face No. 17 San Diego on Saturday, Sept. 30, at 1 p.m. MDT. This Top 20 matchup is one the Cougars are heavily preparing for.
When asked what the team was expecting this Saturday, Olmstead said, “Just a battle. San Diego is a great defensive team and they’re as good as it gets, they’re well coached and it’s at their place.”
The game will be streamed live on TheW.tv.
