No. 1 UCLA Falls at No. 6 Pepperdine, 3-2

Thursday, April 2

Malibu, CA

6:00 pm (PT)

UCLA

20-1,7-1MPSFMVB

No. 6 Pepperdine

18-4,9-0MPSFMVB

UCLA

Pepperdine

No. 1 UCLA Falls at No. 6 Pepperdine, 3-2

April 02, 2026 | Men's Volleyball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

MALIBU, Calif. – The No. 1 UCLA men's volleyball program fell for the first time in 2026, losing in five sets at No. 6 Pepperdine. Set scores on the night were 25-23, 29-31, 22-25, 25-18, 13-15.

Thursday night's defeats marks the first loss of the 2026 season for the Bruins, as UCLA falls to 20-1 overall and 7-1 in MPSF conference play.

With the win Pepperdine improves to 18-4 overall and 9-0 in MPSF play.

Pepperdine's Cole Hartke led all players with 23 kills, while Sean Kelly had 22 kills and hit .385 on the night to pace the Bruins. Senior setter Andrew Rowan tallied 53 assists as UCLA's offense hit a season-low .292 on Thursday.

With the match tied at 2-2 heading into the fifth and decisive set, the Bruins took a 6-2 lead in the final set. Pepperdine fought back and quickly evened the set at 8-8 courtesy of a service ace.

Kelly's 22nd kill of the night put the Bruins up 12-11 late on in the set, but Pepperdine rallied back and took four of the next five points to take the set, 15-13, and the match 3-2.

The Bruins took the opening set, 25-23, before dropping the second set, 29-31. Pepperdine then took the third set 25-22 before the Bruins responded.

UCLA dominated in the fourth set and won it 25-18. Kelly tallied five kills on seven swings in the set as the Bruins forced a winner take all fifth set which Pepperdine won.

Up Next: UCLA returns to Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial to play No. 6 Pepperdine on Saturday evening. First serve is set for 5 pm PT and the match will be broadcast on B1G+.