MALIBU, Calif. – Fairfield University Volleyball claimed the opening set of Friday evening's matchup at Pepperdine, but the host Waves – an NCAA Second Round team last fall – held off the Stags to take a 3-1 decision. Pepperdine won the match by set scores of 20-25, 25-22, 25-13 and 25-13.
 
Laura Seeger paced the Fairfield (2-3) attack with 12 kills, while Joelle Battles and Sonja Radulovic each added six. Manuela Nicolini posted her second double-double of the day, managing the offense with 25 assists and notching 10 digs.
 
Nicolini shared the team high in digs with Jamie Calandro, who also tallied 10. Morgan Doll notched digs and Mayda Garcia posted seven. At the net, Kaylie Butts had a hand in three of the Stags' five team blocks.
 
Capping the scoring, Nicolini and Doll each served up one service ace.
 
Pepperdine (3-2), which was unranked by receiving votes in the AVCA Preseason Coaches' Poll, was led by 15 kills on .464 hitting from Rachel Ahrens. Ahrens was one of four Waves in double-figures, joined by Shannon Scully (14 kills), Kayleigh Hames (13) and Tarah Wylie (12). Isabel Zelaya ran the Pepperdine attack with 42 assists, and Hana Lishman led all players with 14 digs
 
The Stags wrap up action in Malibu tomorrow at 2 PM (ET) against Texas A&M.