SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Rachel Ahrens had 19 kills and nationally-ranked Pepperdine had key runs in each of the first two sets to help hold off Santa Clara volleyball and earn a 25-21, 26-24, 25-20 victory on Friday.

Julia Sangiacomo had a double-double with 10 kills and 10 digs, and Sophia Tulino added 10 kills for the Broncos (5-12, 5-12 WCC) in the West Coast Conference contest.

Kayleigh Hames had six kills and Shannon Scully added five for the 20th-ranked Waves (15-3, 15-2) who just edged the Broncos in hitting .262 to .250.

Santa Clara had a chance to even the match at one-set apiece, but the Waves were able to rally.

A kill from Nani Spaar pushed the Broncos into a 20-18 lead in the second set, but a pair of kills from Hames keyed a 5-1 run. A kill from Sangiacomo and a Pepperdine error knotted the set at 24-all, but Ahrens and Scully delivered back-to-back kills for a 2-0 match lead.

The Waves started to pull away in the third set after it was tied five times. An ace from Alli O'Harra gave Pepperdine a 20-16 advantage. The Broncos scored the next three points, but the Waves scored five of the next six to clinch the match.

The opening set featured 11 ties and four lead changes but the Waves were just slightly more efficient at the offensive end, holding a .281 to .182 edge in attack percentage.

Santa Clara led 19-17, but Pepperdine reeled off seven straight points and Ahrens closed it out with one of her eight kills in the set.

Spaar had eight kills and five digs and Michelle Shaffer had 34 assists for the Broncos.

NOTES

• Pepperdine leads the all-time series 45-33 (first meeting 1982) and has won the last five between the teams.

NEXT UP

The Broncos close out the season on Saturday against Pepperdine. First serve as at 5 p.m. Fans are not allowed in Leavey Center due to COVID-19 protocol.

HOW TO WATCH ON WCC NETWORK

Santa Clara home matches and West Coast Conference matches are streamed live on WCC Network. All events are available at WCCSports.com/watch. Match-specific broadcast links will be posted on the schedule page and on Twitter (@SCUVolleyball).

Kevin Danna is the play-by-play announcer on Saturday.

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GO BRONCOS!