Pepperdine improved to 6-5 on the season and 2-1 in the tournament. The Panthers, who were runner-ups in the Horizon League last season, fell to 0-12 this season and 0-2 in the Sun Devil Classic. The Panthers have only won four sets all year.

The Waves opened the first set on an 8-0 run, including three kills by junior middle blocker Vanessa Polk. Milwaukee answered with an 8-4 run to make it 12-8 and pulled it to 23-21 late in the first set. Consecutive attack errors by sophomore middle blocker Annie Eschenbach gave Pepperdine the two points they needed to close out the first set.

The second set was the closest. The Waves got to a 7-3 lead, built by four kills from sophomore middle blocker Ella Piskorz. The Panthers bounced back and tied it at 18 after a 4-0 run. Pepperdine scored the following three points, all of which freshman setter Tristen Raymond killed. 

The third set was a breeze for the Waves.  Tied 2-2 early, Pepperdine went on a 9-0 run and didn’t look back. The third set finished 25-15 in favor of the Waves.

Piscorz led the way for Pepperdine with 14 kills, two digs, and six blocks, and Raymond finished with nine kills, six digs, and one block. For Milwaukee, freshman middle blocker Josie Noble had eight kills and three blocks, and Bella Lipski had six kills and two blocks.

The Waves begin their West Coast Conference season on Thursday. The Panthers conclude non-conference play against No. 8 Arizona State before opening Horizon League play on Friday.