Daniels, Walker Deliver for Pepperdine

Beau Daniels, the setter for Pepperdine’s No. 1-ranked men’s volleyball team, usually has several options to go to as he directs the Waves’ balanced attack.

But when a play breaks down or the team is struggling in a match, he can always turn to old-reliable--outside hitter Lance Walker.

“We know each other to the point where I know where he’s going to be and I can just put the ball up at a certain spot,” Daniels said. “I don’t have to look for him on the court.”

Their symmetry has been a key component in Pepperdine’s run to the NCAA men’s volleyball final four at University Park, Pa. The Waves (28-4) will play a semifinal match against Ball State this afternoon at 3 before Hawaii takes on host Penn State.

Daniels will be a key figure in determining whether Pepperdine can win its first national championship in 10 years.

The 6-foot-4 senior has played in 116 of a possible 118 games this season and has been the leader of a team that has won the most matches in school history and is on a record 16-game winning streak.

No one knows Daniels’ value better than Walker, who has been a teammate since both were members of Pierce College’s state junior college championship team in 2000.

“There’s no other setter I would want to have on my team,” Walker said. “He is confident in what he does and he works at the position. He’s made himself a great player.”

Both players had starring roles in the Waves’ four-game victory over Hawaii on Saturday night in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation championship match. Daniels, who had 45 assists, set Walker for a match-high 18 kills.

Greg Vernovage said he pictured the duo having success wherever they went to school. Now an assistant at Long Beach State, he coached the Pierce team that ended Golden West’s run of five consecutive state titles.

“Beau has obviously earned everything he’s got,” Vernovage said, “and Lance is one of the best competitors and most athletic kids I’ve ever come across.”

Walker, who attended North Hollywood High, is an extrovert and speaks his mind.

Asked about the Waves’ title chances, he said, “We know that when you’re the top dog, everyone is coming after you. We’re going to get everyone’s best shot.”

Born and reared in Texas, Daniels offers a firm handshake and keeps his words to a minimum.

“Beau will think everything through before he does something while Lance has a lot of emotion which is great for volleyball,” Vernovage said. “Somehow, they’ve managed to work it out and play together.

“They’re two different kids but they both have the same goal.”

Daniels and Walker want to end their college careers in style.

Said Daniels: “We said when we got here that we’ve got to win a national championship.”