Score: #24 Pepperdine 3, VCU 0
Location: Malibu, Calif. (Firestone Fieldhouse)
Records: VCU 4-6, Pepperdine 8-1
 
The short story: Sophomore middle blocker Kylie Loftis logged seven blocks for VCU, but 24^th-ranked Pepperdine held firm on its home court Thursday night on the way to a 3-0 win for the Waves.
 
OPENING VOLLEY

• Loftis registered five of her blocks in the first set alone as the Rams mounted a late charge before falling 25-23. She added three kills
• Junior middle blocker Sabria Cooper also supplied five blocks for VCU, while classmate Qairo Bentley was credited with nine kills and seven digs
• Freshman libero Crew Hoffmeier provided 12 digs for the Black and Gold
• Rachel Ahrens (17 kills) and Grace Chillingworth (14 kills) pace the high-powered Pepperdine attack

THE DIFFERENCE

• Pepperdine outhit the Rams .258 to .080
• The Waves offset an 8-7 VCU edge in blocks by totaling 56 digs
• Pepperdine jumped on VCU early in all three sets. The latest the Rams led in any of the three frames was a 6-5 advantage in the second

NOTABLE

• VCU was facing its second straight ranked opponent. The Rams also battled No. 4 Ohio State on Saturday
• Thursday marked the first all-time meeting between the Rams and Waves

NEXT UP
The Rams will continue their west coast swing when they take on UC Santa Barbara on Friday, Sept. 17 in the Thunderdome Classic.