PROVO, Utah – In a 3-1 series (25-22, 25-18, 25-22, 25-19) the BYU women's volleyball team fell short to the No. 17 Pepperdine Waves Thursday night in the Smith Field House.
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“Pepperdine got some momentum after that first set and crept back in,” BYU head coach Shawn Olmstead said. “It felt like we were in it, but we let it fall away from us. Every single game we got back close, but we lacked that killer mentality to push for the win those last three sets.
“Our turn around will be quick though. We have San Diego Saturday night and they’re a really good team so now our focus shifts to our next match.”
Highlights of the Cougars’ performance include Hamson’s double-double with 17 kills and 11 digs. Christie Carpenter and Katie Vaughn tied for second highest with 10 kills apiece, while Kendalyn Hartsock contributed 17 digs for BYU.
At the first timeout, the Cougars (16-6, 5-3) led set one at 15-9. A 6-1 run Pepperdine (14-5, 8-0) put the Waves within range, but not close enough as the Cougars finished the set at 25-22. Hamson led the set with five kills and four blocks.
The second set started with a change of pace as the Waves jumped to a quick lead at 7-3. The Cougars rallied but were kept at 18 while the Waves gained a 5-0 run to end the set at 25-18. Pepperdine’s Emily Cook led the Waves with four kills, while Hamson contributed four kills for the Cougars.
The match stayed neck-and-neck as the Cougars and Waves rallied back and forth for the lead during the third set. The Cougar offense proved its strength as they achieved a 5-0 run on the Waves to put the score at19-21.Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough and the Waves took the third set 25-22. Pepperdine’s Kim Hill acquired the set-high six kills, while Hamson led the Cougars once again with five.
In the fourth set, the Cougars were unable to grab the lead but stayed within reach of the Waves. Vaughn contributed four kills to the set but the Cougar offense was unable to catch up to Pepperdine. One last kill from the Waves ended the set at 25-19 and the Cougars walked away with a loss.
Up next, the Cougars will face off with No. 16 San Diego in another home match Saturday.