SportsScope

Pepperdine has named Rod Wilde its 1985-86 coach of the year and ex-Wave swimmer Peter Rohde has been named student-athlete of the year.

Wilde, a former three-time All-American in volleyball at Pepperdine, stepped in when Marv Dunphy was appointed coach of the U.S. Olympic team. Wilde led the Waves to an NCAA volleyball championship in his first year.

Rohde, a two-time All-American, was also named swimmer of the year for 1984 and 1986 in the Pacific Coast Athletic Assn. Pepperdine dropped swimming after last season, and Rohde transferred to UCLA. During his junior year, the business administration major maintained a 3.5 grade point average.

The Pepperdine women’s volleyball team, which opened the season with a three-set win over USC, ranked eighth nationally, will play host to Utah at 7:30 tonight and to Weber State at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Wednesday the Waves will be on the road against No. 12 San Diego State.

In the 15-6, 15-5, 15-10 win over the Trojans, the Waves were led by junior hitters Julie Evans and Pam Lawrence, who combined for 22 kills, and by junior setter Lee Hoven, whose quick sets led to seven kills and three blocks.

The No. 2 UCLA men’s soccer team, 2-0 after defeating Santa Clara, 5-0, on the road last Sunday, will play its home opener against Chapman College at 2 p.m. Sunday at the north soccer field.

The shutout of Santa Clara extended the winning streak of UCLA, the defending NCAA champion, to 20 matches.

Against the Broncos, freshman forward Lucas Martin led the way with a goal and an assist. Martin joined the Bruins only last week after playing for the U.S. youth national team that defeated Mexico, 3-0, in August.

Chapman, ranked No. 12 last year in the NCAA Division II, has seven starters returning, including last year’s scoring leader, Rick Snyder.

The No. 3 Pepperdine water polo team will be the host of the John Wasko Tournament on Friday and Saturday at Raleigh Runnels Pool.

Other teams in the field are UCLA, Claremont-Mudd, Navy, UC San Diego and Richmond.

The tournament is named for the late captain of the 1979 Pepperdine water polo team.

Junior college transfers Ruben Gonzalez and Peter Kuld top the list of six baseball players who have signed letters of intent with Pepperdine.

Other recruits, all freshmen, are Jim Doyle, an All-CIF Southern Section infielder from Fountain Valley High; pitcher Scott Singelyn from Webb School, a three-time All-CIF selection who threw two no-hitters last season; pitcher Craig Stiveson, who starred at Marin Catholic High, and catcher Michael Tuschke, a catcher-outfielder from Ridgefield High in Connecticut.

Gonzalez, a first baseman and designated hitter, batted .370 and had 15 home runs in leading Rancho Santiago College to second place in the state junior college tournament. Catcher Kuld batted .360 and hit 17 home runs to pace College of the Canyons to the state championship last season.

Pepperdine Coach Dave Gorrie, whose team finished 38-21-2 and 14th-ranked in the nation, said he is hoping the offensive power and experience of Gonzalez and Kuld will help the Waves, who had two sophomores and four freshmen in the starting lineup last season.