IRVINE, Calif. – The Concordia University Irvine men's volleyball started a two game series against No. 8 Pepperdine in the CU Arena on Thursday. The Eagles challenged the Waves but Pepperdine was able to win in three sets by scores 21-25, 25-27, and 23-25.
 
The MPSF Offensive Player of the Week Owen Chun led the Eagles with 17 kills while hitting .353. The graduate student picked up seven and had four crucial blocks to shut down the offensive from the Waves.
 
Gil Herold made his presence on the court going 7-for-9 in three sets and hitting an impressive .667. Herold also led CUI with four blocks along with Chun. Max McCullough and Jonathan Carlson contributed four kills a-piece.
 
Logan Glave added five kills and a team high of eight digs that he scooped up from the back to keep the rallies going for the Green and Gold. Glave picked up a career-high of three blocks that came up big defensively to keep the score within just a couple. Setter McLain Mott dished out 34 assists while throwing down two kills and four digs throughout the match. Erik Boisvert was in the libero jersey tonight and had five impressive digs all over the court.
 
Pepperdine took an early lead in the first and was able to hold onto it until the end of the set. The second set started out in favor of the Eagles as they were able to take a 17-11 lead over the Waves. A couple runs from Pepperdine brought them within just one point. The score toggled between the two teams until the Waves secured their second set win by a close score 27-25. The Eagles needed the third set to continue the match and kept within distance. Pepperdine held CUI from going on a run to take a lead and closed out the match 23-25.
 
The Eagles will be on the road to finish the series against Pepperdine in Malibu, Calif. on Saturday, Apr. 2 at 6 p.m. CUI will finish MPSF play the following week as they take on USC back-to-back nights Friday and Saturday.
 
To see the full CUI men's volleyball schedule click HERE.