Pepperdine Rolls Fort Valley State in NCAA Opener: Waves Hit .541 in 3-0 Sweep

The 2026 NCAA men's volleyball tournament didn't wait long to remind everyone why expanded brackets still produce old-fashioned blowouts when seed lines collide.

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What happened

In Noblesville, Indiana, No. 4 Pepperdine treated Fort Valley State like a physics demonstration: 25-16, 25-18, 25-17, .541 team hitting vs. .130 for the Wildcats.

Cole Hartke led the Waves with 13 kills on .650 hitting and three aces, per Pepperdine's box-score lane — the kind of opener that looks relaxing until you remember Ball State was waiting on Saturday.

Why it mattered

Friday was the first serve of the 12-team format's regional pods — and Pepperdine's efficiency answered the awkward question every favorite hates: can you execute when you're supposed to?

The Waves punched a ticket to the regional final round (NCAA hub).

Sources

• NCAA.com — Pepperdine vs. Fort Valley State (6598546)
• NCAA.com — championship hub (May 1)
• Pepperdine Athletics — sweep recap
• Orange County Register — West Coast regional snapshot

United Volleyball Network — May 2, 2026.