COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL PREVIEWS : Improved Pepperdine Powers Its Way Back

It was one of those rare down seasons last year for the Pepperdine men’s volleyball team, but Marv Dunphy says he has the players to bounce back.

He should know a good group when he sees it. In 13 seasons as the Waves’ coach, Dunphy has won three NCAA championships and has had only three losing seasons; 1989, ’90 and ’95. Pepperdine, a fixture in postseason play, was 10-12 last year (7-12 in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation play) and failed to make the playoffs.

Dunphy prefers to put the disappointing performance behind him.

“We’re bigger and stronger this year and we have more firepower,” he said.

With the return of 6-foot-6 junior outside hitter Colin Wellman and the addition of Pierce College transfer hitters Kevin Barnett and Branden Higa, the Waves should live up to the billing. Certainly, they will be more powerful than last season.

Barnett, a 6-5 junior, was the Western State Conference player of the year at Pierce last season, and Higa (6-3) used a redshirt season in ’95 after two years with the Brahmas. Both are solid, consistent and hit with power.

“Kevin has a good future in the sport,” said Dunphy, a former U.S. Olympic coach. “Not only does he have good size and strength, he’s a very competitive guy and he is a great all-around player.”

Freshman George Roumain (6-6) also is expected to be one of the Waves’ top hitters if he recovers from a torn groin muscle. Roumain started light workouts in December, Dunphy said, and is playing at about 70%.

“If he gets healthy, we’re going to count on him at either outside or opposite,” Dunphy said.

Pepperdine also will be strong at middle blocker with the return of 6-8 senior John Bowling and 6-9 sophomore Chris Jacobson, who will split time at that position.

Bowling, who played basketball instead of volleyball at Collierville High in Tennessee, is also a great hitter with a good touch, Dunphy said.

Jacobson, the better blocker of the two, was a gold medalist at last summer’s Olympic Festival.

“We’re going to be tough in this area because both have improved tremendously from last season,” Dunphy said. “They both add something different to this team.”

Dunphy’s biggest concern lies at setter. All-American Chip McCaw graduated and is presently training with the U.S. national team, so the Waves must rely on last season’s backup, J.J. Riley, and freshman Robert Presley.

“Replacing a player like Chip is tough,” Dunphy said. “We’re really going to feel the loss.”

Riley, a 6-2 sophomore, played in 44 of the team’s 79 matches last year and competed on the U.S. junior national team. Presley, from Diamond High in Missouri, is a highly regarded setter who made the Volleyball magazine “Fabulous 50 Freshmen” list. Pepperdine is ranked 10th in that magazine’s preseason poll.

In their opener at home Tuesday, the Waves defeated Division III La Verne in straight games. Pepperdine will travel to UC Irvine this weekend for the First Serve tournament, which also includes Loyola Marymount and San Diego State. Pepperdine’s next home match is Jan. 25 against UC Santa Barbara.