It’s Business as Usual at Pepperdine
Marv Dunphy feels like he never left.
The idyllic Pepperdine campus hasn’t changed much, the faces in the athletic department are as familiar as ever and the expectations of the men’s volleyball team are the same as always . . . very high.
Fortunately for Dunphy, who took a one-year sabbatical from Pepperdine to be an assistant coach on the U.S. national team, there is one other constant--Scott Wong.
A two-time All-American at outside hitter, Wong is back for his senior season. He gives the Waves national credibility despite changes at almost every other position.
One of the top college players, the 6-foot-5 Wong is a lock to pass Dain Blanton for the school record for career digs, and likely will finish in the top three in career kills and aces.
Without Wong, Dunphy’s return would be a lot less relaxing.
“I don’t earn my money by coaching him,” quipped Dunphy, in his 18th year at Pepperdine. “From the day that he entered here, he’s carried as big a load as anybody. He’s never missed a practice, never missed a match, never missed a weight-training session, never missed a class. He’s a guy that does well in all parts of his day all the time.”
Wong helped lead the Waves to the NCAA semifinals last season, where they were upset by Ohio State. This year’s team will have a markedly different look.
Keith Barnett, an outside hitter the past two seasons, moves to setter, the position he played in high school and at Pierce College.
Chris Van Reusen, an outside hitter last season, is starting at middle blocker. Fred Winters, a freshman, and Lance Walker, a transfer from Pierce, are battling for time at outside and opposite hitter, respectively.
Brad Keenan, a middle blocker last season, was penciled in at opposite hitter, but has been moved back to the middle.
The position switches have forced the Waves to look inward more often than in recent seasons.
“In the past, we knew UCLA, USC, Long Beach State, UCSB better than we knew our own team,” Dunphy said. “With the [lineup] changes, we need to train the heck out of this team--technically, system-wise and tactically.”
So far, so good: The Waves (3-0) defeated Cal State Northridge, UC Irvine and defending NCAA champion UCLA at the Irvine tournament Friday and Saturday. But optimism is guarded.
“We’re kind of like a work in progress,” said Jeff Stork, who moves into an assistant role after serving as head coach during Dunphy’s absence. “It’s too early to tell what’s going to happen over the course of a season.”
*
The rules have changed for college volleyball. So has the season outlook for Cal State Northridge.
As new on-court regulations make their way into play, the Matadors are looking at a comparatively novel concept--a winning record and possible playoff berth.
Progress has come faster than expected for a program terminated for budget and gender-equity reasons in the summer of 1997, only to be reinstated a few months later.
Two seasons ago, the Matadors were still trying to recover from the process and finished with a 3-21 record, worst in school history.
Last season, they defeated UCLA for only the third time in 45 tries, but finished 12-14 overall, 7-12 in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation play.
This season, with most of its core players coming back, Northridge could make the conference playoffs for the first time since 1996.
Junior Eckhard Walter, a 6-foot-10 opposite hitter, has been hitting as hard as ever despite off-season surgery on his left shoulder.
Sophomore Joe Nargi, a former opposite hitter at Taft, has been a surprise at outside hitter, leading the Matadors (2-2) in kills.
Setter John Baxter, a four-year starter, is back to direct the offense, and Raoul Williams, a transfer from Santa Monica College, has added punch on offense.
“I don’t want to jinx myself, but this is the closest we’ve been to consistently playing with some teams,” said Coach Jeff Campbell, in his fourth season. “It’s the best team since we’ve been cut. Whether that will equate into more wins or not, I’m not exactly sure.”
Like other NCAA teams, the Matadors will have to adhere to rules changes, the most significant being the introduction of rally scoring.
Side-out volleyball is a thing of the past, with a point being scored on every serve. Games will be played to 30, with a fifth game being played to 15, if necessary. A team must win by two points in each game.
In another rule change, serves that hit the net and fall into play on an opponent’s side are considered live.
The Matadors, who have been practicing against the net serve for nearly a year, are poised for change, including a potential one in their won-loss record.
“It helps having some guys who can kill the ball,” Campbell said. “We should be a pretty decent team.”
(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)
Players to Watch
Volleyball players listed with year, college, local tie
Keith Barnett
Sr.
Pepperdine
Pierce College
Has been moved from outside hitter to setter, the position he played in high school and at Pierce.
*
John Baxter
Sr.
CS Northridge
Royal High
Four-year starter has never experienced a winning season, which could change this year.
*
Trevor Julian
Sr.
USC
Harvard-Westlake High
The Trojans’ captain is one of the top passers in the nation and finished third on the team with 362 kills last season.
*
Joe Nargi
So.
CS Northridge
Taft High
Rapidly improving player is a spark on offense with strong arm.
*
Richard Nelson
So.
UCLA
Alemeny High
Has a busy season ahead as the heir-apparent to four-time All-American setter Brandon Taliaferro.
*
Matt Olsen
Jr.
Brigham Young
Royal High
Middle blocker had a breakthrough season with 290 kills and 150 blocks last season for the Cougars.
*
Matt Prosser
Sr.
Long Beach St.
Buena High
Tough middle blocker is second on school career charts with 1.66 blocks per game and a .433 hitting percentage.
*
Bill Strickland
So.
Stanford
Harvard-Westlake High
One of several up-and-coming players for the Cardinal, he finished fourth on the team with 126 kills last season.
*
Lance Walker
Jr.
Pepperdine
North Hollywood High
Inexperienced but physically talented junior-college transfer might start at opposite hitter.
*
Mac Wilson
Sr.
Brigham Young
Highland High
Will miss a month for second consecutive season because of broken finger, but will be a defensive presence when he returns.
