MALIBU, Calif. – Pacific volleyball (8-5, 0-1) dropped a three-set match to Pepperdine (5-6, 1-0) Thursday at Firestone Fieldhouse to open WCC play. As the 25-23, 25-23, 25-23 scores indicate, all three sets were battled to the wire.
 
Fifth-year senior Biamba Kabengele led the team with 18 kills and hit .279 (18-6-43). Senior Alexa Edwards added 13 kills, hitting .273 (13-4, 33). Sophomore Emily Van Groningen hit .385 (7-2-13) and was third on the team with seven kills.
 
WCC digs leader Megan Nishimura led the team with 18 digs. Junior Jenna Heller and Kabengele each had 10 digs. Heller had a team-best 40 assists.
 
The two teams entered the contest on three-match win streaks. The Tigers nearly pulled off the first set, jumping out by five early. After Pepperdine tied the match at 19, Pacific won three of four points to take a 22-20 lead late in the set. In the run, Van Groningen had two kills; Edwards, one. The Waves responded by winning four of the final five points for the 25-23 win. Pacific had led the entire set until Pepperdine moved in front late, 23-22. Pacific had 19 kills in the first set and hit .310 (19-4-42).
 
In the second set, Pacific led 17-13 before Pepperdine went on a 5-1 spree to tie the match at 18. With the match tied at 21, Pepperdine scored three straight to take a 24-21 edge. The Tiger battled back from set point twice before an attack error gave Pepperdine the 25-23 win.
 
In the third set, Pepperdine never trailed although Pacific tied the match at 17 and 18. The Tigers pulled within one, 23-22, before the Waves won two of the last three points for the third straight 25-23 set score. The Tigers had another strong hitting set at .333 (19-6-39). Pacific had 51 kills in the match compared to 37 for Pepperdine. 

"I thought we fought hard tonight but fell short at the critical points," said head coach Greg Gibbons. "We will get better and learn from this."
 
Pacific is idle this weekend and returns to competition at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 28 by hosting San Francisco (7-6, 1-0) followed by a noon contest on Saturday, Sept. 30 against Santa Clara (8-5, 0-1)