LOS ANGELES — LMU Volleyball went the distance with PCH Cup rival Pepperdine on Saturday afternoon but ultimately fell in five sets (18–25, 25–27, 25–21, 25–23, 11–15) at Gersten Pavilion.

Maddie Boerstra led all players with 16 kills and added 10 digs for a double-double. Sophie Stephenson followed with 12 kills, while libero Cecily Bramschreiber anchored the back row with 18 digs, and Delfina Schuch dished out 39 assists and 15 digs. 

Pepperdine controlled much of the opening set, building early momentum behind an ace and efficient side-out play. LMU generated strong transition chances, and five Lions recorded at least one kill in the set, but the Lions dropped the frame 25–18.

The second set was more competitive, featuring back-and-forth stretches early before Pepperdine pulled ahead late. LMU improved offensively with 14 kills and rallied from a 19–15 deficit to force extra points. The teams traded kills down the stretch before the Waves earned a sideout and a block to close the set, 27–25, and take a 2–0 lead.

LMU reversed momentum in the third set, tightening up defensively as Bramschreiber recorded six digs and helped hold Pepperdine to a .125 hitting percentage. The Lions also posted their highest first-ball side-out rate of the match at 63.6%. After taking a 9–8 lead, LMU stayed in front the rest of the way to claim the set 25–21 and force a fourth.

Set four turned into a back-and-forth battle, featuring 14 ties and three lead changes. Bramschreiber again steadied serve-receive, keeping LMU in system throughout the frame, while Boerstra added two clutch kills late to send the match to a decisive fifth set.

The final frame remained tight early before reaching 10–10. From there, Pepperdine closed on a 5–1 run to take the set 15–11 and secure the match.

LMU remains at home and will host Saint Mary's on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. (PT).