1978 NCAA CHAMPIONS
Back Row (L-R): assistant coach Gary Sato, athletic trainer Keith McFarland, Mark Rigg, Scott McDonald, Brian Ehlers, Mike Blanchard, Gary Cunitz, Jay Anderson, head coach Marv Dunphy. Front Row (L-R): Tom Beard, John Zabriskie, Rod Wilde, Peter Balding, Kilo Baird, Jay Iranon, Scott Rigg.
Pepperdine won its first-ever NCAA team title in 1978, as the Waves outlasted local rival UCLA by scores of 15-12, 11-15, 15-8, 5-15, 15-12 in a match played at St. John Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Directed by second-year head coach Marv Dunphy, the Waves advanced to the NCAA Championships by defeating San Diego State and Long Beach State in the Western Selection Tournament at Pauley Pavilion. Pepperdine notched a come-from-behind 9-15, 15-1, 9-15, 15-13, 15-12 victory over host Ohio State in the NCAA semifinals before defeating the Bruins in the title match. Mike Blanchard was named the event’s Most Valuable Player and was joined on the All-NCAA Championships squad by teammates Jay Anderson and Rod Wilde. Pepperdine completed the season with a 21-4 record, was the co-champion in the SCIVA (12-2) and went undefeated at home (10-0). Anderson, Blanchard and Wilde were named AllAmerican first teamers. Blanchard (first team), Wilde (first team), Anderson (second team), Mark Rigg (second team), Brian Elers (honorable mention) and John Zabriskie (honorable mention) were named All-SCIVA.
2012-13 PEPPERDINE MEN’S VOLLEYBALL RECORDS BOOK • 6