WESTWOOD, Calif. — San Diego battled back from a two-set deficit but fell to Pepperdine, 3-2, in their final match of the regular season.
 
The Toreros (16-12, 13-5 WCC) fell behind early after dropping the first two sets to the Waves (21-8, 14-4 WCC) 25-17, 25-22, but USD would not go quietly. The Toreros rallied to win 25-18, 25-22 and send the match into a deciding fifth set. 
 
San Diego jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the decider, before Pepperdine went on a 10-2 run to take control of the set. The Toreros then mounted a comeback sparked by a kill from Roxie Wiblin and service ace from Lauren Fuller. USD went on a 6-2 run to pull within two, before Pepperdine closed the door with two straight points to take the set 15-11 and secure the win.
 
Fuller, Katie Lukes and Cami May all recorded double-digit kills for San Diego. Lukes led the Toreros with 13, while May and Fuller added 12 and 11, respectively. 
 
Addie Picha led San Diego's defensive efforts at the net, registering nine blocks and Kelli Barry was all over the back-court, accounting for 25 of the Toreros' 64 digs. Anna Newsome and Laura Madill tallied 27 and 23 assists, respectively.  
 
The teams were matched evenly in hitting percentage, with San Diego hitting .170 compared to Pepperdine's .189. However, the Waves dominated from the service line, recording nine aces, while USD only collected three.
 
With the hopes of an at-large bid, USD now must wait to learn its fate during the NCAA Division I Volleyball selection show this Sunday at 5:30 p.m. PT.