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Tuesday, September 2
Malibu, CA
6:00 PM (PT)
UCLA
1-1,0-0Big Ten
1
at
3
Pepperdine
3-1,0-0WCC
1
2
3
4
F
UCLA
23
25
17
21
1
Pepperdine
25
14
25
25
3
Cheridyn Leverette
Photo by: Mac Brown
No. 19 UCLA Falls to Pepperdine in Four Sets
September 02, 2025 | Women's Volleyball
MALIBU, Calif. โย Theย No. 19-ranked UCLA women's volleyball team suffered a four-set defeat to Pepperdine on Tuesday night at Firestone Fieldhouse.ย
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Set scores were 23-25, 25-14, 17-25, 21-25.
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UCLA (1-1) falls to Pepperdine (3-1) for the first time since 2011. Tuesday's loss is the just the second for the Bruins in the last 11 meetings.
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The UCLA attacked struggled to round into form, hitting just .172 with 25 attack errors on the night. Cheridyn Leverette was the bright spot for the Bruins, knocking down a game-high 16 kills with eight digs on the defensive end.ย
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Zayna Meyer shined at the setter position with her first double-double at UCLA, collecting 29 assists and 10 digs. Freshman outside hitter Eliana Urzua enjoyed a breakout performance with 14 kills and eight digs. Marianna Singletary led all Bruins with five total blocks.
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Maggie Li came out strong in the opening set, converting four early swings into kills to set the tone for UCLA. However, Pepperdine delivered a pair of late scoring runs to build an 18-13 advantage. The Bruins struggled to find offensive rhythm, hitting just .083 with eight attack errors in the frame. Despite fending off two set points, UCLA was unable to close the gap and the Waves secured the first set.
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The second set was defined by the dominance of Urzua and Leverette as the duo combined for 14 kills. Urzua caught fire with five of UCLA's first eight points of the frame, then Leverette put down back-to-back kills to cap a 4-0 run to bring the team's advantage to 19-12. The Bruins hit .372 in the set to swing the momentum in their favor and cruise to the 25-14 set victory.
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The tides turned in the third set when Pepperdine raced to an 8-4 advantage, forcing a UCLA timeout. Excellent blocking defense from Singletary and Brooklyn Briscoe brought the Bruins within one late in the third set, but Pepperdine responded with a decisive 6-1 run to close out the frame and secure the frame.
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Fueled by the energy of the home crowd, Pepperdine carried its momentum into the fourth and final set to seal the match. Leverette kept UCLA within reach, delivering four kills, a block, and a clutch service ace down the stretch. Despite her late surge, the Bruins were unable to overcome the deficit, falling 25-21 as the Waves closed out the victory.
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UCLA will head to Fort Worth, Texas for a pair of matches against No. 24 TCU on Sept. 5 and 6. Friday's contest is set for 4 p.m. (PT) and will be broadcast on ESPNU.
ย
ย
Set scores were 23-25, 25-14, 17-25, 21-25.
ย
UCLA (1-1) falls to Pepperdine (3-1) for the first time since 2011. Tuesday's loss is the just the second for the Bruins in the last 11 meetings.
ย
The UCLA attacked struggled to round into form, hitting just .172 with 25 attack errors on the night. Cheridyn Leverette was the bright spot for the Bruins, knocking down a game-high 16 kills with eight digs on the defensive end.ย
ย
Zayna Meyer shined at the setter position with her first double-double at UCLA, collecting 29 assists and 10 digs. Freshman outside hitter Eliana Urzua enjoyed a breakout performance with 14 kills and eight digs. Marianna Singletary led all Bruins with five total blocks.
ย
Maggie Li came out strong in the opening set, converting four early swings into kills to set the tone for UCLA. However, Pepperdine delivered a pair of late scoring runs to build an 18-13 advantage. The Bruins struggled to find offensive rhythm, hitting just .083 with eight attack errors in the frame. Despite fending off two set points, UCLA was unable to close the gap and the Waves secured the first set.
ย
The second set was defined by the dominance of Urzua and Leverette as the duo combined for 14 kills. Urzua caught fire with five of UCLA's first eight points of the frame, then Leverette put down back-to-back kills to cap a 4-0 run to bring the team's advantage to 19-12. The Bruins hit .372 in the set to swing the momentum in their favor and cruise to the 25-14 set victory.
ย
The tides turned in the third set when Pepperdine raced to an 8-4 advantage, forcing a UCLA timeout. Excellent blocking defense from Singletary and Brooklyn Briscoe brought the Bruins within one late in the third set, but Pepperdine responded with a decisive 6-1 run to close out the frame and secure the frame.
ย
Fueled by the energy of the home crowd, Pepperdine carried its momentum into the fourth and final set to seal the match. Leverette kept UCLA within reach, delivering four kills, a block, and a clutch service ace down the stretch. Despite her late surge, the Bruins were unable to overcome the deficit, falling 25-21 as the Waves closed out the victory.
ย
UCLA will head to Fort Worth, Texas for a pair of matches against No. 24 TCU on Sept. 5 and 6. Friday's contest is set for 4 p.m. (PT) and will be broadcast on ESPNU.
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Team Stats
UCLA
PEP
Kills
51
50
Errors
25
21
Attempts
151
148
Hitting %
.172
.196
Points
63.0
69.0
Assists
50
48
Aces
2
7
Blocks
10
12
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
16
Aces
2
Blocks
1
Kills
14
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
6
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballOH
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