Pepperdine Graphic 1-21-2022

THE PEPPERDINE GR APHIC G Volume LI | Issue 11 | January 21, 2022 | pepperdine-graphic.com | Follow us @peppgraphic

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INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

Due to the Omicron surge, Pepperdine’s International Programs are operating differently from what many students said they expected. Still, as 2022 commenced, students packed their bags — complete with masks and vaccine cards — and made their way to their programs around the world.

Pepperdine is known for IP, but the winter surge in COVID-19 cases left a cloud of uncertainty hovering over students hoping to study in Lausanne, London, Florence, Heidelberg and Washington, D.C. The spring semester abroad kicked off for all programs as of Jan. 16, besides Buenos Aires, which began Wednesday, Jan. 19. When it comes to weekend travel and mask-wearing, Dean of International Programs Beth Laux said the semester will be unlike any other. Still, students, like sophomore Florence participant Elija Gatling, said they are determined to not let the restrictions take away from making the most of their experience.

“We’re just super excited to make more connections and travel and explore,” Gatling said. “I still can’t believe we’re living here. For the past week we have been doing tourist things so in the back of my mind it’s like, ‘Oh, I’ll be home soon,’ but I won’t be for four months.”

Universal Guidelines for International Programs

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All students studying abroad and in Washington, D.C., are fully vaccinated — but are not required to be

boosted except in Florence — Laux said. Still, positive cases are currently high, so Laux said the University implemented a plan for restrictions to be lifted as the Omicron surge slows down.

The first stage of the University’s COVID-19 safety plan limits students to their host city. Stage two opens student access to the host country, giving the program directors an idea of how travel will affect case numbers, Laux said. The third stage allows students to travel to a list of countries tailored to the guidelines in their host country — meaning each program will have varying lists.

“That is a gradual process that we will hopefully roll out throughout the semester,” Laux said. “Obviously, we’re watching the COVID-19 cases very carefully right now, and we won’t actually be publishing a list of countries until February anyway. So right now, students are aware of the timelines.”

Testing practices vary from city to city, but the University is still providing tests for all students that exhibit symptoms or are determined to be in close contact with positive cases. Some programs test regularly, such as in Heidelberg, London, and D.C., while Florence and Lausanne students test only when there is reason to believe someone could have COVID-19, Laux said.

Students in the London program are at the campus, but taking classes on Zoom for the first week. All other active programs were able to start in-person, but throughout the semester virtual classes will be facilitated for those who need it for COVID-19 related reasons, Laux said.

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News Assistant Brielle Yauney shares her good news for the New Year.

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Students share their experiences quarantining and isolating due to COVID-19.

THE WAVES REPORT

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PERSPECTIVES

Liza Esquibias Pixel Editor

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IN FULL SWING FOR THE SPRING

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“I would say there’s typically at least a student or two that is accessing a class online,” Laux said. “Most IP programs started their classes primarily in person, but we are offering online access to students in quarantine and isolation.”

Florence Safety protocols in Italy have been the most surprising element of being abroad so far, sophomore Melanie Tadros said. Tadros traveled to Siena her first weekend and said most of the shops were closed and the city wasn’t crowded.

“Even Elizabeth [Whatley], our director, when she took us to some of the tourist spots, she was shocked at the fact that there was nobody else there,” Tadros said.

Once in Florence, students are not tested unless exposed to COVID-19 or experiencing symptoms. Students are also given their own room and bathroom in case of isolation or quarantine, Tadros said.

The fall 2021 Florence program was suspended due to low enrollment, so students remained in Malibu. Gatling said he was disappointed not to spend the whole year in Florence and was worried about whether he would be able to go in the spring.

The Villa no longer has an inhouse chef but provides meals in a grab-and-go format, Tadros said. The group is also smaller than a typical academic semester, but Tadros said that has allowed them to form deeper bonds.

“There’s only 20 of us here, which is insane compared to the normal 50 or 60,” Tadros said. “So everyone’s

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Perspectives Assistant Editor Emily Chase argues for transparent COVID-positive policies.

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Guest Contributor Hannah Cheng shares her advice on growing up.

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LIFE AND ARTS

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just close. All of us are getting to know each other a lot better, and it’s great.

We’re really having a good time.”

Lausanne Although sophomore Isabelle Lindstrom never imagined being abroad during a pandemic, she said this is her first time out of the United States, and she is grateful to be there.

Entry testing to the country revealed six positive student COVID-19 cases, but since arriving, Lindstrom said no one has gotten sick. Lindstrom said students can only travel within Switzerland for January, and when traveling, they scan their virtual vaccine code in all public places. Still, she said she is finding plenty to do in her free time.

The program has fewer student numbers than usual, Lindstrom said, and she has already built meaningful connections.

“It is completely different from my first semester in Malibu in a sense,” Lindstrom said. “In Malibu, you’re very independent — everything’s on your own. You don’t know who you’re going to eat lunch with, you don’t know who you’re going to see on your way to class. Here, you know everyone and you know you’re never going to sit alone.”

Heidelberg Going into the semester, sophomore Maeve Mueller said she was nervous she would feel lost and isolated. Her expectations, however, were defied once she arrived, she said.

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Wondering where to shop in Malibu? L&A Assistant Meghan Young has you covered.

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Meet Pepperdine’s Esports Team.

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Photo cour tesy of Mae ve Mueller Sophomore | Maeve Mue ller looks at the view of Heidelberg from a balc outside the classrooms ony .

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SPORTS

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Men’s Volleyball opens their season at home with three wins in a row.

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Men’s Basketball falls to Portland.

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DEEPSWELL.COM

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January 21, 2022 | NEWS | Pepperdine Graphic Media

MULTIMEDIA moments Podcasts

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Keep Up With Us!

Multicultural Meanings: “Genderqueer,” “Genderfluid” and “Nonbinary”

The Pixel Newsletter Released every Monday and Friday

PGM Production Schedule SportsWaves: S2E2 Year in Sports 2021, NFL Playoffs Preview and Introducing Austin

Print Edition 12: Feb. 18 Print Edition 13: March 18 Print Edition 14: April 8 Currents Magazine: April 18

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January 21, 2022 | NEWS | Pepperdine Graphic Media

January is one of my favorite times of the year. It is not common to hear someone say they love the month of January — it is usually cold and follows right after one of the happiest times of the year — Christmas. But because of this, I have made it a goal of mine to become a person who loves the concept of the “new year.”

The idea of a new year is so refreshing. I love that I have 365 days to become a newer and better version of myself. I have 365 days to create a life that I love.

By the end of December, it is so easy to become tired and overwhelmed with planning the holidays, finishing finals and spending time with loved ones. I always look forward to the end of the holiday break because I get to spend time reflecting on the past year and planning for the new one.

When writing down my goals for this year, I focused on taking things slow and not rushing myself to achieve this picture of “perfection” or “success” overnight. Often why so many people give up on their New Year’s resolutions is because being patient and consistent is hard. I am guilty of having these grand goals that I want to achieve, but I give up quickly because they are not attainable with a realistic timeline.

As I grew over the past year, I developed the thought process that New Year’s resolutions can be kind of silly anyway. This concept makes it seem like we should only create goals once a year and if we don’t achieve them, then that is the end. In reality, I have found that goals are something that need to be adjusted and reflected upon frequently.

This thought process has helped me give myself grace and feel more joy in my life as I work towards my goals but understand that I am not perfect, but rather human.

Some of my goals this year are being both mentally and physically fit by taking time to invest in self-care activities such as meditation, exercise, journaling and eating whole foods ... and a few cookies because they are my favorite treat.

The older I get and the more I focus on my goals for the new year, I realize how important it is to take care of myself. To an extent, I realize I do have control over my happiness and health, so in 2022 I plan to take charge.

It is only mid-January, but I am feeling optimistic about 2022. I am grateful for new beginnings and what is to come in the new year.

brielle.wood@pepperdine.edu

656 541 115 389

Student Cases

Employee Cases

On-campus Cases

1,689 7.29M 68.5M

tweets

of the month

Malibu Cases

California Cases

SGA briefing | 01.19

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As of Dec. 1, SGA launched a partnership with Lyft offering students six free rides a month.

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Craig Mhlanga joined SGA as a new Sophmore Class Senator.

United States Cases

Check out Pepperdine’s COVID-19 dashoard.

Off-campus Cases

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The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council is brainstorming ideas for new students with a new DEIC calendar.

The DPS Reports

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01/09/22 5 p.m.

Crime: Peeping/Using any Instrument Location: Malibu CampusOn Campus

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2

01/13/22 9:52 a.m.

Crime: Traffic Related- Hit and Run, Non-Injury Accident Location: Malibu Campus- On Campus

01/12/22 5:45 a.m.

Crime: Trespassing Location: Malibu CampusOn Campus

Check out the full DPS reports.

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week Joslyn Plaza Monday, Jan. 24- 28

events

Brielle Yauney News Assistant

COVID-19 by the numbers

Upcoming

Good News: New Year, new beginnings

Christopher Parkening’s Guitar Students in Concert Surfboard Room Tuesday, Feb. 8 at 5 p.m.

Presidents Speaker Series The Dream King: How the Dream of Martin Luther King, Jr. is Being Fulfilled to Heal Racism in America.

Elkins Auditorium Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 6-7:30 p.m.

You Had One [Parking] Job

Seaver Drive Photo by Ashley Mowreader, Managing Editor

Seaver Drive Photo by Ashley Mowreader, Managing Editor

Highlighting bad parking on Pepperdine’s campus.

Rho Parking Lot Photo by Ashley Mowreader, Managing Editor

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January 21, 2022 | NEWS | Pepperdine Graphic Media

Conquering isolation Abby Wilt News Editor Kyle McCabe Assistant News Editor The email with a subject line of “Your Pepperdine COVID-19 Test Result is Ready” is arriving in many inboxes — some with results students aren’t expecting.

Upon receiving positive PCR test results, many students relocated to on or off campus isolation locations and found ways to occupy their time. Students said they are at the Hyatt Regency in Westlake Village, the Sheraton in Agoura Hills, Good Nite Inn in Calabasas, Cambria in Calabasas and the Villa on Pepperdine’s campus.

Since, Jan. 3, 656 students (as of Wednesday evening) have tested positive and gone into isolation, according to the Pepperdine’s COVID-19 Dashboard.

“We’re all just waiting to get out of here,” first-year student Olivia Formato said.

Hyatt Regency Sophomore Karsyn Murdock tested positive for COVID-19 on Jan. 13, put her mask on, packed her bags and left to stay at the Hyatt.

“It’s actually been not as bad as I thought,” Murdock said. “Lots of FaceTimes, lots of journaling and reading has been keeping me sane.”

Murdock said life is now looking a little slower, a little quieter and a little different.

When Murdock first received her results, she said she was scared and didn’t know where she was going to go or what to expect, but now, she is getting settled.

“I actually thought it [the hotel] was pretty nice, I won’t lie,” Murdock said. “Besides that I knew I was gonna be in here for several days alone.”

Murdock doesn’t know who else is in her hall, but said she hears a little bit of the outside world through her window.

“I can hear the person next to me and I heard them sneeze,” Murdock said. “I’m

wondering if they are a COVID patient too.”

In a Jan. 13 webinar for all quarantined and isolated students, Chief Business Officer Nicolle Taylor said regular hotel guests were still staying in these venues, so it was important for students to be respectful and stay inside their rooms, to not expose anyone to COVID-19.

Students said they fill their time with school, phone calls, crossword puzzles, books and rest.

“The most exciting part so far was in the hotel, I opened the window to hear the outside world and I could hear someone checking microphones and then some party music and lots of cheering,” Murdock said.

“It sounded like kind of a large crowd, I bet they don’t know that this is a quarantine facility.”

A Resident Life staff member or a University staff member is assigned to each of isolation and quarantine facilities,

Taylor said in the webinar. In addition, Taylor said there is always a Resident Director on duty who students can call offhours.

Formato is also staying at the Hyatt, and relies on the University staff member assigned to the Hyatt for anything she needs.

“I have him in my phone as hotel COVID man, and I just text him whenever I need anything,” Formato said.

Sophomore Kristopher Gordon isolated at the Hyatt Jan. 11-19 after testing positive. Gordon said his experience is similar.

Gordon said the food was his least favorite part, but that each student received a form each morning they fill out what food they wanted for each meal that day, with around three options per meal. Gordon said the food was free for him.

The food at the Hyatt is from the Hyatt’s room service and cooked in the Hyatt’s hotel kitchen, Taylor said in the

webinar.

“My food was cold, but that’s the worst I’ve had,” Gordon said. “They’re doing their best, I’m not mad.”

Formato also said the food wasn’t the best, but was glad she had the option of food delivery after a mishap her first night with the food.

“They [the hotel restaurant] told me that their restaurant isn’t working,” Formato said. “I was like, ‘What do you mean?’ and they’re like, ‘We don’t have any staff at this restaurant so it’s closed.’ Then I kind of got upset with them. I was like, ‘I don’t know what I’m supposed to do over my food. I’m not allowed to leave my room.’”

Formato said she ordered DoorDash that night, but then started filling out the form that was sent to her about what food options she wanted from the hotel each day.

If students eat the food thatis provided, they do not have to pay, but if they order food from a service such as Door-

Photos Courtesy of Kristopher Gordon & Olivia Mastalerz | Kristopher Gordon, top, holds up a book he is reading during his isolation at the Hyatt. Matalerz, bottom, FaceTimes with her friend during her isolation.

Photos Courtesy of Olivia Mastalerz & Kristopher Gordon | Olivia Mastalerz, top, holds up a McFlurry during her isolation. Kristopher Gordon, bottom, poses in front of the window during his COVID-19 isolation.

January 21, 2022 | NEWS | Pepperdine Graphic Media

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one day at a time Dash, they have to pay for it on their own, Gordon said.

Students said they are getting used to their rooms, minus the food and the fact that they are alone.

“I actually really love this little room,” Formato said. “I feel like it’s been kind of cozy.”

hot breakfast, a cold pre-packaged lunch and a hot dinner, Taylor said in the webinar.

Zink attended her classes on Zoom, but said she had trouble connecting to the hotel WiFi and staying motivated.

“Being here in the hotel makes me feel like I’m on vacation and that I don’t actually need to do school,” Zink said.

Good Nite Inn

Sheraton First-year Alex Zink was in isolation Jan. 11-16 and went through the necessary steps to get settled into the Sheraton in Agoura Hills. A campus shuttle took her, as well as six other positive students, to the hotel, Zink said.

“I’ve heard of a lot of similar experiences with everything,” Zink said. “We’re just kind of by ourselves in the rooms.”

In regards to the Sheraton’s food, Zink said it was mediocre and edible. The Sheraton offers “Pepperdine-provided meals” for all three meals — a

I’ve heard of a lot of similar experiences with everything. We’re just kind of by ourselves in the rooms.

Alex Zink First-year

Sophomore Madison Smith found herself in the Good Nite Inn in Calabasas, Jan. 15-19 due to her suitemate testing positive. Smith said she was fully vaccinated but had just received her booster one day prior, so had to quarantine anyways.

“I’m at a motel by myself,” Smith said. “So I don’t know, it is what it is.”

In contrast to students at other locations, Smith said the food was her favorite part.

“My food is the highlight of my experience,” Smith said.

“The room, yeah, another story, but the food is good.”

Smith said she packed snacks, but Pepperdine provided meals catered by Mar-

malade to her at her hotel such as grilled cheese, spaghetti and meatballs, tomato soup and French toast.

“I am not spending meal points and I’m getting some quality food,” Smith said. “I’ve been taking pictures of all my food just because I think it’s like a fun way to like document life.”

Smith said she thought the food made up for the motel experience, and she kept her doors locked and safety precautions at the forefront of her mind.

“I keep my windows closed, I don’t see daylight most days,” Smith said. “I’m a 20-year-old in a motel by myself trying to be as safe as possible.”

Laundry was something Smith said she did not think about while she was packing, but she went into her stay hoping that she would be OK since it was only five days in quarantine.

“I’m just relying on the clothes I have,” Smith said. “If for whatever reason I have to go into 10 days or something,

I’ll need I don’t know what I’m gonna do about clothes. That’ll be a road bump when we get to it.”

The Villa First-year Olivia Mastalerz isolated at the Villa on campus, and was there Jan. 11-17.

The Villa offered three meals from the Caf for each meal daily, Taylor said in the webinar.

Mastalerz said she did not eat much of the food offered, and instead ordered her own food.

“I just discovered we were able to DoorDash,” Mastalerz said. “I’m pretty sure the people at the front desk don’t like me though because I order so much stuff.”

Mastalerz said she stayed in her room until she knew she was allowed to leave.

abby.wilt@pepperdine.edu kyle.j.mccabe@pepperdine.edu

Photos Courtesy of Rianna Smith & Kristopher Gordon | Rianna Smith, Ava Stottlemyre and Jamie Daneri, top, pose for a photo as they quarantine due to COVID-19. Kristopher Gordon, bottom, lies on his Photos Courtesy of Karsyn Murdock & Kristopher Gordon | Karsyn bed during his isolation.

Murdock, top, holds up the books she is reading during her isolation at the Hyatt. Kristopher Gordon, bottom, takes a photo of himselfwatching Netflix during his isolation.

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January 21, 2022 | NEWS | Pepperdine Graphic Media

IP: Students travel abroad during surge From A1 “Once you get here and you’re situated, there’s a ton of resources to help with [the language barrier] and everything,” Mueller said. “The city is absolutely beautiful and the buildings and the people are all just incredible.

I’m so happy to be here.”

Originally, Mueller said there was no testing requirement, but as cases rose, weekly tests were required.

“Whenever you try to go into a store or if you sit down at a restaurant, they have you show your vaccine card, and you have to wear FFP2 [KN95] masks,” Mueller said. “If you do have your booster or you have had the vaccine in the past three months, then you’re fine, but otherwise they literally will kick you out.”

Mueller said she looks forward to venturing out of the country, but she sees the positives in exploring parts of Germany she never would have otherwise.

“I would love to be able to go to other countries and everything, but at the same time, having that amount of time where you can just be in Germany traveling is nice,” Mueller said.

the house, and masks are required in in public, indoor places, sophomore Zach Tapp said. He was in London for the fall 2021 semester, and he said returning was an entirely different experience.

“I think we’re in the thick of the restrictions, right now,” Tapp said.

“They said it would be the opposite effects of last semester, where it got gradually more restrictive, and this semester it’ll probably get gradually less restrictive, which is the glass half full side of things.”

The United Kingdom requires students to be tested twice a week and daily if in close contact with COVID-19. Tapp said he hopes conditions improve soon so he is able to travel to Barcelona this semester.

During his first semester in London, Tapp said his most cherished memories came from time spent with his friends. Going into the spring, Tapp said he hopes to build more lifelong friendships through weekend trips and group dinners.

“Three days out of the week we have this thing called group dinner,” Tapp said. “So we just all go out to a restaurant or just some place and [the program] pays for our dinner, which is really nice. We have a 16-pound limit, so we can just order whatever we want and eat dinner together.”

Buenos Aires

Isabella Yeager Senior in Washington, D.C. London

MISSION STATEMENT

London has the most restrictions out of all IP locations. Classes are online due to an outbreak of COVID-19 in

Photo Courtesy of Melanie Tadros | Florence program participants gather on an overlook in Florence on Jan. 9 before classes start. Sophomore Elija Gatling said participants bonded with one another due to the smaller group. with the rest of my abroad classmates after I was supposed to go abroad all year and it was canceled,” Henshaw said. “It is very disappointing.”

Henshaw said finding out she has to change her flight last minute after not having her consulate meeting until Jan. 10 — three months past when she was expecting — has been stressful. She said she hopes she makes it to Buenos Aires and enjoys most of the semester abroad.

Washington, D.C. As part of the Global Fellows Program, senior Isabella Yeager has looked forward to studying in Washington, D.C., during her final semester at Pepperdine. Due to COVID, however, Yeager said her D.C. internship with Portland Square Group is virtual.

Currently, travel outside of D.C. is not permitted, and because the program’s trip to Spain is scheduled for the first week in February, Yeager

“Pepperdine Graphic Media (PGM) is an editorially independent student news organization that focuses on Pepperdine University and the surrounding communities. PGM consists of the digital and print Graphic, a variety of special publications, GNews, Currents Magazine, social media platforms and an Advertising Department. These platforms serve the community with news, opinion, contemporary information and a public forum for discussion. PGM strengthens students for purpose, service and leadership by developing their skills in writing, editing and publication production, by providing a vehicle to integrate and implement their liberal arts education, and by developing students’ critical thinking through independent editorial judgment. PGM participates in Pepperdine’s Christian mission and affirmations, especially the pursuit of truth, excellence and freedom in a context of public service. Although PGM reports about Pepperdine University and coordinates with curricula in journalism and other disciplines, it is a student (not a University) news organization. Views expressed are diverse and, of course, do not correspond to all views of any University board, administration, faculty, staff, student or other constituency.”

said students are anxious it will be canceled. While students test weekly and use medical-grade masks, the Omicron variant is spreading rapidly around the city, Yeager said.

“Because we’re so small, with 19 people, if somebody gets it, we have to be much more careful,” Yeager said.

“Since we only have two real staff members, if they both get sick, that’s something that we’ve all been really worried about. If that happens, how would the program run?”

The in-house kitchen is closed for the semester to prevent interactions without masks, and students are required to show proof of vaccination in public places.

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Because we’re so small, with 19 people, if somebody gets it, we have to be much more careful. Since we only have two real staff members, if they both get sick, that’s something that we’ve all been really worried about. If that happens, how would the program run?

The Buenos Aires program began Wednesday, Jan. 19, but until mid-January, some students, such as sophomores Nayeli Castillo and Courtney Wisniewski, said they felt uncertain if the trip was going to happen.

Both Wisniewski and Castillo said Pepperdine told them consulate interviews would take place in October 2021, but they never did. Throughout December and January, Wisniewski said the University began repeatedly changing the interview date, and the closer her departure got, the more concerned she grew.

“Two weeks ago when we still didn’t have our passports and visas, we all literally banded together and talked about how we’re going to go regardless because we already bought our flights — they’re non refundable flights,” Wisniewski said. “We all started looking into apartments together and finding apartments in BA just in case they canceled it.”

Jan. 10, Wisniewski said she finally had her consulate interview, and her passport came in the mail shortly after.

On Jan. 15, sophomore Madilyn Henshaw said she received an email from Pepperdine informing her that her passport would not arrive in time for the planned Jan. 19 departure.

“I will now miss out getting there

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January 21, 2022 | NEWS | Pepperdine Graphic Media

If a professor changed your life,

RAISE

YOUR

Zhike Lei

2021 Recipient, Howard A. White Award for Teaching Excellence Associate Professor of Applied Behavioral Science, Graziadio Business School

Pepperdine University requests your nominations for the Howard A. White Award for Teaching Excellence.

Please take a few moments to consider that one very special professor from your Pepperdine days and submit your nomination. More information about the award and an online nomination form can be found at

pepperdine.edu/provost/awards

NOMINATION DEADLINE IS MARCH 31, 2022

HOWARD A. WHITE

President (1978–1985) and Professor of History

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J a n u a ry 21, 2022

The Graphic

pepperd in e-gr ap h ic .c om

PERSPECTIVES

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Pepperdine must communicate positive protocols enforcing all COVID-19 safety protocols and ensuring the staff and students receive education about COVID-19,” according to the COVID-19 Protocols There are currently 541 student COVID cases, and Resources webpage. with 389 of those being students who live on campus, This task force clearly has not been as present as as of Tuesday, Jan. 18, according to the COVID-19 they should be during the numerous positive cases University Updates webpage. With the amount of that have broken out just in the first two weeks of cases presented at such an early classes beginning. Misinformapoint in the semester, it begs tion and miscommunication have the question, was the University turned this plan to near shambles. prepared for such a large number After quarantining for five days this early? at an inn in Calabasas, Mangano Students receive countless said that his fate is still unknown. emails daily about virus updates, “I don’t even know if I can information and changing status come back on campus,” Mangano from Pepperdine; however, they said. “I’ve called all of the numreceive vague information on bers listed on the COVID isolawhat to do if they test positive. All tion reference email and was sent students know for sure is they are to voicemail for all of them.” thrown into a desolate isolation For a small, private institution, period. there is too much disorganizaFor how long must they stay tion among the communication quarantined? Where do they between administration and quarantine? How soon after they students. Don’t put the commutest positive do they have to leave nity in a position to be sent home, campus? because there is a lack of control These are all valid questions of the situation. The intentions of that students should have answers the University can be hypotheto, especially those that live on sized as good, but the execution of campus. One instance of this was the matter presents itself as hazy with first-year Mark Mangano to the students of Pepperdine. who lives in Seaside Residence Pepperdine University needs to Hall. He said he was left in the be more transparent and strategic dark about what would happen with its protocols and COVID-19 next when he was exposed to procedures. There is no need for COVID. Samantha Miller, Art Editor | Students are blinded when it comes to testing positive for COVID on the amount of uncertainty and “I didn’t know where I would campus. Pepperdine administration should provide more clarity regarding protocols. foggy understanding of the arbe going to quarantine,” Manrangements for positive test cases gano said. “It took around two and exposures. Students need hours to figure out what the next steps were and COVID-19 cases,” however more transparency about to know the procedures, protocols and possibilities where I would be quarantining. I had no idea how where students go would be a great addition to an clearly in emails or updates. long I would be there for, I was told right when I left email such as that.

The administration could provide a list of possible to go to the hotel, on the way there.”

Mangano said there was 30 minutes between the hotels students on campus could be sent to, a time Imagine the confusion of finding out about positime he knew he had to leave campus and driving range for how long quarantine could last for positive tive test results or possible exposure and then learnhimself to his isolation location. Additionally, Mancases and maybe even the earliest time they can safeing there would also be relocation. The only informa- gano received no emails from Pepperdine regarding ly test negative, all would be helpful for community tion Pepperdine administration provides students is his actual exposure. members. With more clarity comes more preparedthat they must remain isolated after being exposed “I had to contact the COVID supervisor myself,” ness, otherwise its back to square one for the Univeror testing positive, not necessarily being relocated off Mangano said. “I never got an email from anyone, sity under no one’s fault, but their own. campus. even though it was my roommate who exposed me, I The emails sent to students consist of a number did everything myself.” to call when students test positive and their weekly Pepperdine created a COVID-19 Compliance reminders to get PCR tests on campus. There should Task Force that is, “responsible for establishing and emily.chase@pepperdine.edu

Emily Chase Perspectives Assistant Editor

be more specificities about the location of a positive case quarantine, which hotels they would be sent to and how long they would have to pack up their things.

An email sent out the evening of Jan. 18 stated, “Residential students who receive a positive test should contact the Resident Director overseeing

AN INSIDE LOOK Managing Editor Ashley Mowreader Executive Editor Rowan Toke Digital Editor Karl Winter Copy Chief Whitney Bussell Video Producer Christina Buravtsova Creative Director Ali Levens Advertising Director Sahej Bhasin Head Podcast Producer Anitiz Muonagolu Pixel Editor Liza Esquibias Photo Editor Lucian Himes Art Editor Samantha Miller News Editor Abby Wilt Life & Arts Editor Lydia duPerier Sports Editor Sam Torre Perspectives Editor Sarah Best Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Editors Anitiz Muonagolu

Emily Shaw News Assistant Editor Kyle McCabe News Assistants Graeson Claunch Brielle Wood Yauney News Staff Writers William Bacon Anezka Liskova Luke Schlabach Abroad Correspondents Chloe Chan Beth Gonzales News Guest Contributor Sierra Moses Perspectives Assistant Editor Emily Chase Perspectives Staff Writers Halle Bowe Christina Brennan Joshua Evans Emma Ibarra Life & Arts Assistant Editor Addison Whiten Life & Arts Assistant Meghan Young Life & Arts Staff Writers Tim Gay Audrey Geib Hope Lockwood Jackie Lopez Sawa Yamakawa Assistant Sports Editor

Jerry Jiang Sports Staff Writers Joseph Heinemann Austin LeDe’ Alec Matulka Copy Editors Téa Fortune Yamillah Hurtado Assistant Photo Editors Ryan Bough Samantha Wuensche Staff Photographers Ella Coates Mary Elisabeth Audrey Hartono Denver Patterson Brandon Rubsamen Gabrielle Salgado Art Assistant Editor Vivian Hsia Staff Artists Autumn Hardwick Ariana Henry Mary Karapetyan HeeJoo Roh Carson Vandermade Design Assistants Kaitlyn Davis Landry Hendrick Haley Hoidal Hannah Lee Emilia Lekhter Zoe Macarewa

Meredith Nover Ece Yagci Podcast Producers Joe Allgood Celine Foreman Kyle McCabe Karl Winter Podcast Production Assistants Zack Born Halle Bowe GNews Crew Joe Allgood Rianna Dizon Hunter Dunn Alex Payne Gabrielle Salgado Amari Venzor Senior Edition Editor Bryant Loney Advertising Assistant Carly Long Assistant Pixel Editor Sofia Longo Social Media Assistant Rianna Dizon Christian Parham Rianna Smith Meg Taylor

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the Editor must bear the writer’s name, signature, class standing, major, address and phone number (except in some circumstances determined appropriate by the Graphic). Letters must be fewer than 300 words and will be edited for syntax, grammar and brevity. Letters can be mailed to student publications or emailed to peppgraphicmedia@ gmail.com.

January 21, 2022 | PERSPECTIVES | Pepperdine Graphic Media

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Normal is not a neutral phrase Liza Esquibias Pixel Editor Words are important. Words shared over meals are what maintain friendships, words uttered under an altar are what bind marriages and words written on paper formed the foundation of the United States. Yet, people are often quick to use negative words in casual ways that end up having lasting effects.

Scientist Maria Richter conducted a study on the power of words that showed “negative” words can trigger the release of stress-inducing hormones — causing long-term anxiety.

Hateful words can also trigger “​​structures of the pain matrix,” a reaction people have to physical pain.

Words can hurt — oftentimes just as much as the sticks and stones.

At some point, everyone has thrown out harmful rhetoric in a moment of anger or frustration but that does not make it OK. What may seem to be small moments using meaningless words can have a major impact. People must be mindful of the language they use at all times.

Vivian Hsia, Assistant Art Editor | A person stands with the word “normal” looming

above their head in a crowd of confused people. Esquibias wrote that words such as these can be harmful to mental and physical health.

Not all negative words seem outwardly harmful. The term, “normal,” for example, may seem like a neutral — or even positive — word. However, the idea of normalcy in society insinuates that being anything abnormal is bad.

The definition of normal is, “characterized by that which is considered usual, typical, or routine,” according to Merriam-Webster.

There are nearly 8 billion people in the world, according to Worldometer, and therefore 8 billion varying definitions of what normal is. If there are

so many differing examples of what normal is, however, that contradicts the very definition of what it means to be normal.

A statistician named Adolphe Quetelet began using the word “normal” in the 1800s to describe the “average” man, who he viewed as proportionally perfect, according to author Jonathan Mooney. From then on, the idea of abnormal has been seen as imperfect, strange and undesirable.

This definition has prevailed through history up to modern-day — when society tends to latch on to the

most high-functioning people to label as normal.

There is a societal obligation to be normal, or else. Being different is to be vulnerable and to risk facing judgement from peers.

The words we use with ourselves matter, too. Studies by the Mayo Clinic have shown self-talk to have major impacts on lifespan, depression and cardiovascular health. The words we speak, but also think, can be life-altering.

If words can trigger pain-receptors, then words kept in the mind can, too.

People should be mindful about what they tell themselves to be — such as normal, which is an unrealistic expectation for oneself.

The concept of what is normal directly affects a person’s relationship with themselves. The way people look to others to determine who they should be is a flawed consequence of the idea of the normal way being the right way.

Nevertheless, society programs most everyone to disregard the fact that one person’s normal differs from another’s version and neither of their normals is anyone else’s. No two people have the same definition of the word. Normal is empty and unproductive — so stop wasting time wanting to be it. liza.esquibias@pepperdine.edu

How to get better at growing up guardians as heroes, to an adolescent who now realizes that they are not, can be a shocking revelation one needs to process to grow up better.

2. Let Go of Unrealistic Expectations Hannah Cheng Guest Contributor Growing up is a process forced on all of us. As time moves, faces mature and people enter a place of deeper self-awareness. While development happens to us without effort, growing up well and intentionally is a choice.

Growing up does not just encapsulate puberty or smoking a joint for the first time but gaining insight into my parents and how they shaped me, releasing unhealthy expectations and learning to trust myself.

According to the National Institute of Health, “growing up” extends through an individual’s mid-20s when the prefrontal cortex of the brain is fully matured. However, there may be phases in life where the process feels like it’s happening all over again.

The following actions will help others process how their pasts impacted their present selves, so anyone can gain self-understanding and grow up to be the best versions of themselves — because everyone deserves a beautiful future.

1. Recognize the Role Parents Play in Shaping One’s Adult Self Sometimes it’s hard to admit, but Amy Morin, psychotherapist and social worker, maintains that the way parental figures raise their children plays a crucial role in shaping the child’s fears, desires and communication styles as adults.

But then, as kids grow up, so do their needs and troubles — demanding solutions that are more complex than a hug or a trip to the ice cream shop. Parents and guardians sometimes disappoint, make mistakes, fail to protect their little ones from pain and even hurt them.

Eventually, many kids recognize that their parents/ guardians are human just like us. That switch from being an impressionable young child who deems their

Releasing the belief that parents/guardians are titans is just the tip of the iceberg. Letting go of every other unrealistic expectation is necessary for growth.

Many times, people enter relationships and situations with unrealistic expectations that were shaped by their parents/guardians. They long for a type of love, praise and understanding that emulates the early childhood safety they felt with parents/guardians when everything was simple.

Many times, one’s friends and partners aren’t wrong for them and aren’t bad at fulfilling their roles — they’ve just been applying childish expectations to adult relationships.

There’s an unrealistic expectation within many people to be the same titan they witnessed in their family. It is dangerous to try to emulate this fantastical superhero who does not exist outside of the imagination.

One must forgive themself for the mistakes they’ve made and will make throughout life, learn what they can from these experiences and move forward. They must accept that they did and will continue to do what they think is right at the time. Sometimes one cannot know if it was actually right or wrong until much later — maybe even never.

All of this is easy to say, but it is incredibly hard to accept that no one and nothing is as simple as it seems. Patience is required throughout this whole process.

3. Gain Self-Trust Think about the way childhood institutions like school and home life are structured to minimize selftrust in the name of protection. For years, children and adolescents ask teachers for permission to go to the bathroom and speak in class.

They rely their sense of accomplishment on report cards given by an adult who is older and smarter. They ask parents/guardians if they can buy certain things and go certain places. Then, they grow up and find

themselves living away from home — able to do whatever they want, whenever they want.

Even though adults are capable of making good decisions for themselves, they don’t feel like they are.

And why should they? They’ve been trained from childhood to ask others for permission and validation, ultimately distrusting themselves.

But self-trust is worth working toward because freedom and power come with it — this feeling that one can take ownership and responsibility for the decisions they make and can handle both the negative and positive consequences of their actions.

While asking others for their input can be wise, understand everyone’s opinions depend on their own personal experiences and fears. Ultimately, one needs to do what they think is right based on their principles.

Self-trust is a firm confidence in one’s own integrity and responsibility, and that they will be OK no matter what because they have themself.

I Decide Who I Become During stay-at-home orders, I thought about where I’ve been, where I am and how to develop my character with intention. Too many people become products of emotions, events, relationships and external influences without learning and healing from what they’ve been through to become better people.

Journaling and talking about these topics with a trustworthy person are good ways to ensure one is being purposeful and wise with their development. If they put in the effort, they can gain deep insight into themselves in order to take control of their mindsets, actions and future.

I used to feel like a victim who had no say over where I’d end up because of the things that happened to me. As I matured, I realized I had so much more power than I thought; I could choose how to manage my inner condition. I choose how to make sense of my past, how to spend my present time and where to go in the future.

Humans deserve more than to simply grow up and get older. They deserve to heal, consciously thrive and become the adults they were always meant to be.

Read the full article online at PEPPERDINE-GRAPHIC.COM hannah.cheng@pepperdine.edu

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L I F E & A RTS Shop ‘til you drop — A Malibu shopping guide Meghan Young Life & Arts Assistant Finding the best stores, prices and most convenient location to shop at can be a tireless process. This shopping guide helps to navigate where to find both the boujee and the best deals.

Retail therapy can only begin when someone knows where they’re headed.

There’s a whirlwind of opinions and decisions on where to shop — from finding essential groceries and basic clothing pieces to a unique item to add to your closet. Luckily, Pepperdine students seem to be experts on where to embark on a shopping spree.

Students said there are a few categories to cover when it comes to tracking down shopping gems. Navigating where the best and not-so-best places to shop starts with the essentials — where should a Pepperdine student go grocery shopping?

“My favorite place to go grocery shopping locally would be Whole Foods,” sophomore Rylee Salot said. “They have extremely fresh, organic and sustainable foods that are more nourishing than typical items I would find at Ralphs or Stater Bros.”

First-year Emmeline Ross said that Whole Foods is a reasonable option for something fresh, but the quality means a higher cost and there is an alternative nearby.

“I like to go to Ralphs [to grocery shop],” Emmeline Ross said. “You can find good food for great prices. It’s a lot cheaper than here on campus and cheaper than Whole Foods.”

While shopping at the Ralphs down the street, students see the bright blue and red Chevron sign above the station’s gas prices. However, the big question is whether it is better to stop by or look for better prices.

The app “GasBuddy” may help with finding the best deals around. Disclaimer: it may lead to an alternative route through the canyon or investment in a Costco card.

“Costco is in Topanga,” sophomore Georgia Ross said.

“I typically try to get my gas

there since it’s cheapest. [Also,] I like grocery shopping at Costco. I am able to purchase food in bulk, and therefore it’s cheaper in the long run.”

Speaking of essentials, look no further than the Country Mart down the street to provide those beautiful basics, as well as some trendy and funky aesthetics. Their local boutiques, such as Fred Segal and Vuori, lean on the pricier side, but there is hope when shopping on a budget.

“Price-wise, Brandy Melville’s not that expensive,” Emmeline Ross said. “I always find that PacSun has deals all the time, so that’s how I get the most deals. Urban Outfitters is expensive, but regardless, I find myself shopping there.”

If the price doesn’t seem right at these well-loved, local stores, students can search for that diamond in the rough at local, and not so local, thrift shops. Finding that perfect piece may take some extra time and effort, but what better way to spend time with friends than digging through rows of clothes.

“Honestly, friends and I typically go thrifting or vintage shopping,” Georgia Ross said.

“Buffalo Exchange is usually a really good one. I have heard good things about Jet Rag, Wasteland and Decades. Jet Rag has $1 sales on Sunday, and every other day it’s fair priced.”

Finding that perfect piece may take a while and shopping online may be a way to cut the time in half from home, or the Pepperdine dorms.

“I typically shop online because I feel like the deals are better,” Salot said. “As for online shops, I typically go for Free People, Urban Outfitters, Nordstrom, Skims. It’s nice shipping. It gets here faster because many shops are close by, and we are closer to LA where many warehouses are located.”

For all the athletes out there, shopping online may be the move to make when shopping for that perfect gym fit. Firstyear diver Alexandra Martin, attests to this.

“I would say my style is athleisure,” Martin said. “I always get stuff online from Gymshark.

I feel like all the ones around here are expensive when it

Meghan Young, Life & Arts Assistant | Rylee Salot anticipates browsing for groceries while posing outside Whole Foods. Salot found the store to be perfect for students searching for an organic market. comes to athletic wear, so I normally like to shop online.”

Students also have their favorite go-to restaurants. There are a few noteworthy favorites in Malibu, Santa Monica and LA. “I love Cafe Habana and Marmalade Cafe,” Emmeline Ross said. “I personally like to go to iHop at unreasonable hours of the night. There’s a 24-hour iHop through the hills.

I also really like Malibu Farm Cafe.”

Malibu is a host to stores worthy of 5-star ratings, yet other students steer clear of some of the conventional chains.

“I avoid CVS pharmacy, Rite Aid and Walgreens because all of their products are extremely overpriced, [getting] up to double their retail cost,” Salot said.

In the spirit of sustainability, there are a few wise words to say about shopping til you drop.

“Try only to buy a clothing item if you love it,” Georgia Ross said. “I love the ideology behind having a minimal amount of clothes and rotating or donating when you don’t love something in your closet, although I don’t practice it enough.”

Trying to be sustainable, find the best prices, get good quality, shop local and shop small is

Meghan Young, Life and Arts Assistant | Alezandra Martin reaches for a pair of Lululemon’s Swift Speed Crop leggings. She fell in love with their align tank, and while their items take an investment, she said it can be a dream come true in the long run. a difficult road, but hopefully this guide provides a few tips and tricks to guide the way.

meghan.young@pepperdine.edu

Art by Haley Hoidal, Life and Arts Design Assistant

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January 21, 2022 | LIFE AND ARTS | Pepperdine Graphic Media

Gaming gains popularity during pandemic Addison Whiten Assistant Life & Arts Editor The world’s first gaming console, the Magnavox Odyssey, debuted in 1972 and launched what would become a booming global industry worth over $138 billion in 2021.

Video games have been popular since their early days, but in recent years, they’ve hit new highs, with the number of people who play them growing from 1.99 billion in 2015 to 2.81 billion in 2021.

The founding of the Pepperdine esports team in fall 2019 reflects this recent surge in gaming popularity, and offers interested students an outlet for competitive play on campus.

“It’s something that we can put passion into other than just messing around with our friends,” senior Nick Santomassi said.

Esports refers specifically to “the world of competitive, organized video gaming,” according to CNN, which the Pepperdine esports team engages in through their tournaments and competitions. The world of gaming encompasses this arena as well as general, casual gameplay for leisure or entertainment.

Santomassi is a member of the “League of Legends” team at Pepperdine, one of four game-specific teams that compete, along with the “Super Smash Brothers Ultimate,” “Overwatch” and “Valorant” teams.

While the program has been active since 2019, it experienced major growth in interest and participation due to the pandemic and remote learning, esports Team Manager and Pepperdine law student Grace Ramsey said.

“We were one of the few things that was still happening,” Ramsey said. “It was one of the few ways that you could still really interact with Pepperdine on a weekly basis, through streaming ‘League of Legends’ which is what we primarily did through COVID.” The esports team’s experience with growth in streaming viewership during the pandemic was not unique — streaming as a hobby and an industry grew exponentially while people stayed home.

From March to April 2020, the streaming platform Twitch saw a 50% increase in total hours watched by users while stay-at-home orders in the U.S. were at their height, according to the Verge.

“I think it’s a great avenue for people that don’t like to play but like to watch,” Santomassi said. “It’s similar to sports, like if you don’t play the sport but you want to watch.”

As gaming continues to grow in popularity and the industry booms, Ramsey said they aspire to work in the emerging field of video game law. While their own professional goals revolve around gaming and they continue to play in their spare time, Ramsey said establishing a game-life balance is very important.

“We try to preach a message, both to

Photo Courtesy of @peppesports Instagram | The Pepperdine “Super Smash Brothers Ultimate” team participates in Mainstage, a competitive tournament, in November 2021. The team saw an increase in interest and participation during and after the semesters students were engaged in remote learning. our team members and to the broader Pepperdine gaming community, that you can still have gaming as a hobby during college, but you need to balance it with your academics, with getting enough sleep, with eating healthy and working out and doing all these different things,” Ramsey said.

While video games are becoming increasingly mainstream and the gaming industry is hitting new highs, Santomassi said there is still a stigma that comes with the hobby, as there is with anything people don’t know enough

about. He said he hopes people can continue to see video games as a form of entertainment that is fun to engage with, and to watch professionals in the field hone their craft just like any other sport.

“That’s kind of what I’d want people to understand about people playing video games,” Santomassi said. “Like it might seem childish, but it’s someone’s passion.”

addie.whiten@pepperdine.edu

Hana Shim shares her Hawaiian heritage Sawa Yamakawa Staff Writer Some students may refer to senior Hana Shim as, “That girl with a big tattoo down her right leg.” For Shim, however, it is more than just a piece of body art: The tattoo — ala niho, a Hawaiian tradition to tattoo down the leg from the hip to ankle — is a sign of connection between her and her Hawaiian culture.

Growing up in ‘Aiea, Hawai’i, Shim said she did not pay much attention to her Hawaiian heritage. However, she said she inevitably became more aware of her roots when she started at Pepperdine in fall 2018. It was her Pepperdine peers who magnified her identity as a Native Hawaiian.

“Based on what Pepperdine [students] saw, they just picked out and highlighted certain things that stood out to them based on their perspective,” Shim said. “So they had a lot of impact on my identity.”

Shim is one of the six students who identify as Native Hawaiian — making up 0.17% of the Seaver College population in fall 2021, according to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness. As president of the Pepperdine Hawai’i Club, Shim aims to inform students on what she refers to as an “authentic” Hawaiian culture.

“Our mission is to educate others on the difference between Hawaiian culture and local Hawai’i culture while being a home away from home for a lot of our members,” Shim said.

Shim said the journey to raise awareness about her ancestors and culture was not smooth, especially because many students from Hawai’i are not

Native Hawaiian. However, Shim is committed to welcoming every student to the club and encouraging others to utilize the platform as a way to share stories about their home.

Although Shim is empowered to share the beauty of her culture today, it took her some time to realize how difficult it is to embody that as a member of a minority. For Shim, the transition to college provided her with a lot of internal growth and self-realization.

When she was a first-year student, Shim said the demographic questions on surveys and applications always made her feel as though her unique identities had to be labeled a certain way.

“I wouldn’t have known these differences of identity if it weren’t for applying for jobs on campus or certain scholarship applications,” Shim said.

These applications, on the brighter side, made Shim realize that she was much more than just a Native Hawaiian.

“I’m identified as a woman in STEM, major in math and I’m a first-gen,” Shim said. “I’m also a resident advisor and a member of Beta Psi Omega.”

Shim said attending a predominantly white Christian university, a lot of adversity came her way. Having attended online classes from home for the entirety of her junior year, Shim said she experienced imposter syndrome as a Math major, especially when most of her peers are white males.

“On Zoom last year, when you’re in math classes, you see everybody and then you just notice how you’re the only woman of color on the screen,” Shim said.

Over the course of three years at

Photo Courtesy of Hana Shim | Senior Hana Shim poses with her family in Hawai’i in June 2020. Shim said she never left Hawai’i until she came to California for college.

Pepperdine though, Shim realized the importance of reclaiming all of these intersecting identities for her to embrace.

“It’s funny to think about how intersectionality plays in but it also makes [the Pepperdine experience] more rewarding,” Shim said. “I really had to learn to overcome a lot of obstacles, and if all goes well because I’m graduating this semester, I feel like it makes everything worth it.”

At the intersection of all her prominent identities, Shim said she is excited about her future and wants to give back to her home community. After her time at Pepperdine, she said she is thinking about pursuing a master’s degree in math.

“My main goal is to build my expertise so I can bring it back to Hawai’i and apply to OHA that’s meant to support native Hawaiians and help with policymaking around native Hawaiian populations,” Shim said.

Photo Courtesy of Hana Shim | Shim and Kylie Girl Guieb from the Hawai’i Club hold a fundraising event in November in front of Elkins Auditorium. Shim said she is passionate about making the club an inclusive place for all students.

sawa.yamakawa@pepperdine.edu

January 21, 2022 | LIFE AND ARTS | Pepperdine Graphic Media

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Students hold mixed reviews of Seaver 200 Audrey Geib Staff Writer As the first semester of Seaver 200 came to a close and a new one began, the experience divided students.

Pepperdine’s new Seaver 200 program replaced the old Convocation credit requirement for lower-level students.

Student Affairs created RISE, Resilience-Informed Skills Education, for students to develop their skills through a 10-week program — but some students said they’re unhappy with the curriculum.

“I feel like it was useless,” first-year Owen Snyder said.

“I think it could have just been a one-day thing where we talk about our goals for the semester, and then maybe meet back one more time at the end.”

RISE focused on six categories for students to explore to prepare them for life’s challenges: physical, cognitive, social, spiritual, life skills and service.

The groups consisted of 10 to 20 students each led by different faculty and staff. Firstyear Brooke Carter said she is grateful for the experience because she was able to meet students that she otherwise may not have.

“There were a few people that I had not met,” Carter said. “Now I know them through my RISE group, or even if I had just met them, I got to know them better through my RISE group, which was very cool.”

In past years, all students participated in Convocation where they had the

opportunity to select their attendance at various events to culminate 14 throughout the semester. However, Pepperdine adjusted this requirement going into the 2021-22 school year.

Many students said they were not aware of what the program would entail prior to their first meeting. Snyder thought the program would be more religiously centered than it was.

“I thought it was just going to be like a church gathering; like they say some excerpts from the Bible, and we’d pray,” Snyder said.

Each RISE group followed the same lesson plan to dive deeper into each topic and provide students with practical ways to improve their dayto-day resilience, according to the RISE website. Carter said she believes that if the students were intentional in applying the information, it would be beneficial to their day-to-day resilience.

“I think the curriculum was very easy to apply if you’re willing to think about it throughout your week because we were given weekly goals,” Carter said.

All Seaver first-year students had the opportunity to select their preferred group and time.

However, the information and topics in each group remained the same.

First-year Travis Feltz said he agreed that some of the information from the first semester of RISE was useful, but not transformative.

“I will hold on to it a little bit but it wasn’t like the most

life-changing information that I’ve ever received,” Feltz said.

In the spring semester, students chose their groups, each with different sizes and topics ranging from An Introduction to Christianity to Faith and Hiking.

Feltz said he believes that by allowing students to choose their breakout group topic, they can feel more connected to the information that they are learning.

“It allows people to choose something they’re interested in, and when they’re interested in it, they’ll probably listen to it more and take more lessons away,” Feltz said.

Faculty and staff lead groups with help from students and guest speakers. Carter chose the breakout group, Faith and Leadership not only due to the topic but also because of the appeal of a guest speaker leading the group.

“I read her bio and it seems really interesting,” Carter said.

“She seemed really knowledgeable, so I am excited to see what she has to say about it.”

Feltz chose the breakout group called Cohort for Belonging that tackles the history of the church and supports each student’s capacity to pursue God’s heart for racial reconciliation.

“I picked the Cohort for Belonging because they talked a little bit about racial justice in it,” Feltz said. “And I thought that’s just a topic that I’m interested in, so I just want to learn more about that.”

Snyder selected the group Living Life to the Full: The Secrets to Joy alongside some

Audrey Geib, Staff Writer | The RISE learning materials that were provided to each student enrolled in the course are shown next to each other. Inside each book holds various lesson plans to promote resilience.

Photo Courtesy of Falon Barton | Students walk together on the Solstice Canyon trail for the Seaver 200 Faith and Hiking group fall semester. The group gathered for weekly hikes to talk about faith. of his suitemates to learn about the path to a joyful life guided by the lessons found in the Bible. He said he looks forward to gaining more insight into living a better life with practical tools in the spring semester.

“I’m hoping it’s much more

exciting and they just give us actual strategies to use to like, not have any regrets in our life,” Snyder said.

audrey.geib@pepperdine.edu

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MVB opens season with back-to-back-to-back sweeps Ashley Mowreader Managing Editor The No. 4 Men’s Volleyball team opened their season at home Thursday, Jan. 13 and Friday, Jan. 14 with backto-back sweeps of the Erskine Flying Fleet (25-9, 25-19, 25-15), (25-17, 25-16, 25-16). The Waves continued to demolish opponents Monday, Jan. 17, besting the Princeton Tigers (25-21, 25-20, 25-20) Erskine Double Victory The visiting Erskine was on a disappointing road trip, opposing Pepperdine, USC and Pepperdine again in a back-to-back-to-back loss streak.

After several postponements due to COVID-19, the Waves said they were happy to be back on the court.

“It was nice to see the guys play,” Head Coach David Hunt said. “I know how hard people work here to get not only our athletes back, but our students back on campus so, we’re really thankful that everyone’s healthy.”

Pepperdine led their first-ever meeting with Erskine on Thursday with a hitting average of .549, 11 blocks and 10 aces at the end of the match.

The Waves’ hitting average at Thursday’s match was record-breaking, the highest average since their 2007 game against Rutgers-Newark and the thirdbest mark in the rally-scoring era, according to Pepperdine Athletics.

Friday went off equally as hot, with a .443 hitting average for the Waves, 8 blocks and 14 aces.

The match started with a kill from sophomore setter Bryce Dvorak, assisted by graduate student middle blocker Austin Wilmot. Dvorak continued to build momentum with his first ace, establishing Pepperdine’s lead at 2-0.

Graduate student outside hitter Jaylen Jasper came out swinging on the right side. This is Jasper’s first season with the Waves after graduating from Stanford in 2021, and Jasper said he feels “like the luckiest guy in the world.”

“I could not put into words how happy I am,” Jasper said. “Just being able to put on the jersey and step on the court and represent such an amazing institution, it’s such an amazing team,” The Waves gave the Flying Fleet a handful of points to start the set, making four service errors by 10-6.

The two teams exchanged attacks and service errors before finally getting a rally at 14-10 with a dig from sophomore libero Trey Cole, an assist from Dvorak and swing from Jasper in the right side, landing in front of the opposing defender at the 10-foot line.

“First game of the season, I was super nervous going into it,” Jasper said.

“But I think I calmed myself down a bit more tonight and really relied on my teammates to give me support and motivation, which they really came through.”

Pepperdine built energy as the set played on, with a notable kill from Wilmot landing on the line, leading the score to 20-14. Wilmot ended the night with five kills and three blocks and

earned the MPSF Defensive Player of the Week award.

A sparring match at the net led to a challenge from Erskine, which was awarded to Pepperdine, bringing the score to set-point (24-17).

Redshirt freshman outside hitter Joe Deluzio ended the set with a service ace, 2517.

The second set opened with a serve from Dvorak that the Flying Fleet could not return.

Dvorak had five aces this week — a team-high — which factored into him earning the MPSF Offensive Player of the Week award.

Wilmot and Jasper continued to play aggressively at the net, stuffing a hit from Erskine’s Jason Sall, bringing the score to 4-1.

Redshirt sophomore Jacob Steele also got a piece of the action, slamming an overpass from Erskine at 6-1.

Graduate student outside hitter Spencer Wickens logged an ace, to which Erskine responded with a timeout.

Dvorak and sophomore middle blocker Andersen Fuller stuffed an attack at 10-5, but the next swing from the Flying Fleet’s Edgerrin Austin hit Jasper straight in the face; the Waves did not return the ball.

Service errors continued to dominate the second set, but the Waves continued to build their lead, holding the Flying Fleet to 14 points. Fuller went on a three-point serving streak, but Erksine hit around the Waves’ block at setpoint, with one last comeback at 24-15.

Erskine’s Cole Vigo logged an ace, but Wickens swung and nailed a kill from the outside, one of his five of the night, ending the set 25-16.

In set three, the Waves switched up their lineup, putting Deluzio in outside. It wasn’t the only substitution of the set: Senior outside hitter Ben Weinberg, graduate student outside hitter Alex Gettinger, redshirt senior opposite hitter Mason Tyler, redshirt sophomore middle blocker Ryan Wheeler and redshirt sophomore middle blocker Mike Scott all got on the court for the third set.

“For guys to go off the bench, we have a lot of depth because this is a really talented team until you know the 27th, 28th guy, so yeah, we’re gonna trust anyone out there,” Wickens said.

Erskine earned the first point of the set, but the lead was short lived.

Point two, the Erskine defense passed too high, “Ceiling!” their bench yelled.

“Firestone, Firestone!” the Waves bench returned, celebrating the point the gyms’ short dimensions gave them.

Dvorak earns the Waves two aces in his first four serves, expanding the

Ella Coates, Staff Photographer | Sophomore setter Bryce Dvorak winds up for a serve during Friday’s game against the Erskine Flying Fleet.

Dvorak logged five aces during the match.

Waves lead to 5-1. After an Erskine timeout, the two teams exchanged attacks but Pepperdine held the Flying Fleet to single digits.

Wilmot, Jasper and Deluzio log an ace each, bringing the score to 13-6.

The Waves kept pressure at the net, with a kill from Weinberg and triple block by Weinberg, Scott and Tyler at 15-9 and 16-9.

Tyler collected two kills — the first of his career — increasing the Waves’ lead to 21-11.

The match ended with the Waves on the offense: a kill from Deluzio, a kill from Weinberg and an ace from Deluzio.

“It’s so early in the season, we just got to keep them there,” Hunt said.

“We have the volleyball players, we have some depth this year, so just keeping them there.”

Princeton Pummeling The Waves faced Princeton at home Monday, Jan. 18, a match the players said they were looking forward to.

“We’re excited for a tough team, it’s going to be a lot of fun,” Wickens said about the match.

Pepperdine came out strong against the Tigers, leading throughout the first set. The team’s overall energy was higher than against Erskine as the teams rallied and swung big at the net.

Errors dominated the first set — 9 service and 2 attack errors between the two teams, but the level of play stayed high. The Waves took the first set 25-21.

Set two saw more action from Princeton as they pushed back against the Waves. While Pepperdine led from the start, the Tigers closed the gap with two aces from Brady Wedbush, tightening the score 9-8.

After a Wickens kill, Steele busted a shoelace at 10-8, resulting in a brief

pause in play, but the Waves didn’t let it slow them down. Dvorak logged an ace and Wilmot a kill, 13-9.

The two teams traded blows, the Waves swinging deep and wide while Princeton nailed down. Fuller logged an impressive kill from the middle at 16-12, swinging around Princeton’s triple-block.

The Waves played scrappy with their defense and used their best weapons, redshirt freshman outside hitter Cole Rasic played backrow for Wilmot and Gettinger for Steele.

The energy heightened at set point, with Steele swinging at the block from the outside and Princeton returning each attack until Dvorak set Fuller in the middle, who put it away to end 2520.

Set three started hot for the Waves with a line shot from Dvorak out of the right-side, assisted by Steele. Wilmot got the second kill of the set, and Wickens the third. The team logged a .493 hitting average and 45 kills against the Tigers.

Princeton kept pressure on, forcing the Waves into errors. Princeton challenged a Wilmot attack, reversing the score from 9-7 to 8-8. The teams kept pace, tying again at 10-10 and 12-12, but the Waves slowly pulled away with two kills from Steele and one from Jasper, making the score 15-13.

Wickens logged his eleventh kill of the night at 21-18 — the team high for the night. A double block from Steele and Wilmot pushed the Waves to 22-18 and a Steele kill to 24-19.

Fuller finished the match 25-20 with a tight swing into a Tigers’ block in the middle, his sixth kill.

The Waves will play UC Santa Barbara on Friday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m.

ashley.mowreader@pepperdine.edu

January 21, 2022 | SPORTS | Pepperdine Graphic Media

B5

Opinion: PGM picks NFL Divisional Round Alec Matulka Staff Writer The Wild Card Round of the 2021-22 NFL Playoffs concluded Monday night, as the Los Angeles Rams trounced the Arizona Cardinals 34-11 in front of a raucous home crowd.

Five out of the six higher-seeded teams won their respective matchups, with the sole upset coming in the form of the San Francisco 49ers’ 23-17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys Sunday afternoon.

The Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Kansas City Chiefs all strolled to comfortable wins, much to the dismay of neutral fans nationwide.

The Divisional Round, which will commence Saturday, Jan. 22, has served up a number of enthralling matchups. Both top-seeded teams will take the field on Saturday, as the Tennessee Titans and Green Bay Packers look to kick off their postseason campaigns in style. The Rams travel to Tampa Bay on Sunday for what should be an intense contest, and the Bills will look to keep their mojo going at Arrowhead Stadium.

Digital Editor Karl Winter has all but assured himself a first place finish in the 202122 PGM NFL Picks standings, though a comeback by staff writers Joe Doonan or Alec Matulka is still mathematically possible. In any case, the battle for second place will come down to the very end of the playoffs.

Cincinnati Bengals (11-7) at Tennessee Titans (12-5) (Saturday, Jan. 22 at 1:30 p.m., PST)

Titans: Joe, Ali, Karl Bengals: Austin, Alec “I’m going to be completely honest with you, my dear readers, I’m a Titans-hater. They got first-seed in the AFC by being the best team in quite possibly the worst division in the league, and I don’t think that’s too impressive. They were inconsistent against quality opposition all season, and I think it’ll catch up with them in the playoffs, especially after the bye week. Got a problem with that, Tennessee? That’s tough. Your long rectangular shape doesn’t scare me.” — Alec “Titans are, like, ginormous.

Bengals are cute but they are way smaller.” — Ali “I haven’t really believed in the Titans all season and I think it’s time I start. I love the Bengals, it’s hard not to root for Joe Burrow, but with Derrick Henry back, I think the Titans will grind this game out on the ground and keep the ball out of Burrow’s hands for as long as possible.” — Joe San Francisco 49ers (11-7) at Green Bay Packers (134) (Saturday, Jan. 22 at 5:15 p.m., PST) Packers: Joe, Austin, Alec, Ali, Karl

ed for the millionth time that they could have drafted Aaron Rodgers, while Packers fans will be reminded constantly that Rodgers is 0-3 against San Francisco in the playoffs.

The Niners’ health is an issue, and while this is an interesting matchup of conflicting styles, Green Bay has been the most consistent team in the league since Week 1 and should ride that trend into the conference title game.” — Karl Los Angeles Rams (13-5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (144) (Sunday, Jan. 23 at noon, PST) Rams: Joe, Austin, Alec, Karl Bucs: Ali “I won’t sugarcoat it: The Rams made Kyler Murray and the Cardinals look like chumps last weekend. My disappointment is immeasurable and my week is ruined. I really hope they can replicate that performance against Tom Brady FC. That’d be cathartic for me.” — Alec “The Bucs won’t drop this matchup again. Although, I am rooting for the Rams so they could possibly play in their home stadium for the Super Bowl. But TOOOOOOMM!” — Ali

“I would not be surprised if the Niners pulled off the upset here, but usually Aaron Rodgers and the Packers choke in the NFC Championship game, so we gotta wait one more week for that.” — Austin

“The Rams have the tools to carve up Tampa, and their midseason acquisitions are paying off. I have bad luck betting against Brady, but I don’t think these Bucs can protect and carry him as well as they did in last year’s playoffs.” — Karl

“Cheese.” — Ali “49ers fans will be remind-

Buffalo Bills (12-6) at Kansas City Chiefs (13-5) (Sun-

Graphic by Ali Levens day, Jan. 23 at 1:30 p.m., PST) Bills: Joe, Karl Chiefs: Austin, Alec, Ali “Josh Allen has been the best player in the league for the last month and the defense is balling. The Chiefs just haven’t looked quite the same as in past years, and I think the Bills slay the giant.” — Joe “Another really good game.

I think [Patrick] Mahomes will outplay Allen just enough to

squeak out the win.” — Austin “A rematch of last year’s Chiefs AFC Championship Game win, but this year the Bills have leveled up. Their offense against New England was historically great, and they did it in frigid weather. Look for a shootout and Buffalo to get over the hump and back into the AFC title game.” — Karl

alec.matulka@pepperdine.edu

Hot Shots: Watch the Warriors this season Jerry Jiang Sports Assistant Editor Oh, how quickly they forget.

It’s funny how time works, right? It feels like it wasn’t too long ago when the Golden State Warriors completed a dynasty for the ages, winning three championships in five years.

Since the departure of current Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant, experts have quickly written off the Warriors, especially since Warriors guard Klay Thompson went down with an ACL tear and Achilles tear a year later.

Fast-forward to the 2021-22 season, and the Warriors are once again atop the Western Conference, sitting at a comfortable 29-9 record.

Simply put, the Warriors have a lot of depth, which is why they’ll win this season’s NBA championship.

On Aug. 6, the Warriors signed forward Otto Porter Jr. The very same day, they signed forward Nemanja Bjelica.

Days later, the Warriors signed fan-favorite forward Andre Iguodala, who was an integral part during their five-year dynasty.

Formerly the third overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, Porter Jr. has proven himself as a valuable three-and-D wing.

A three-and-D wing provides depth through 3-point shooting and defense.

So far, Porter has provided the Warriors with the bench production the team painfully lacked last season.

Through the first 20 games, Porter has averaged 7.5 points and is shooting at a 42.7% clip from three. Porter’s ability to stretch the floor and provide spacing to Warriors superstar guard Stephen Curry has been critical.

The past season’s roster was poorly constructed by the front office because it relied too heavily on Curry. Teams focused all their attention on Curry, playing a 5 on 1 defense, and begging anyone else on the Warriors to make shots.

This year’s story is starkly different.

Porter’s hot 3-point shooting has earned him the nickname of “Otto-Matic” from fans. Additionally, Porter has been active on the defensive end, allowing the Warriors to play a small-ball lineup that has always been successful in the past.

Porter has been a solid contributor, but he was not the only important offseason signing.

Bjelica fits the Warriors system like a glove. The Warriors system emphasizes ball movement and man movement, and with Bjelica’s understanding of ball movement through his experience in Europe, Bjelica transitioned into the Warriors system quite easily.

The Warriors’ early success has also been the result of guard Jordan Poole’s development. While the team awaits for Thompson and center James Wiseman to heal, the Warriors need a secondary scorer to lift the burden from Curry. So far, Poole has answered the bell.

After struggling in his second season, Poole moved down to the G-League where he thrived. Poole’s success in the G-League translated to games that counted this season. In a game versus the Toronto Raptors, he scored 33 points and connected on 8-for-11 from distance.

Poole showed his complete repertoire that game, and while the Raptors held Curry to 12 points, the Warriors still pulled off the victory due to Poole’s excellence.

He’s developed into a three-level scorer and improved his playmaking ability as the secondary ball handler.

Poole averaged 18.1 points and 3.4 assists in the early parts of the season.

What other team has this kind of depth? The Warriors have multiple players that can step up in any given night, causing havoc to opponents as they try and scout how to properly defend the team.

It’s scary to think of the potential this team has. Going into the season, experts questioned what type of player Thompson would be when he came back and if the Warriors would survive until then.

The Warriors have put the league on notice. With a more than favorable schedule, the Warriors have taken full advantage and are well on their way to winning another championship.

jerry.jiang@pepperdine.edu

B6

January 21, 2022 | SPORTS | Pepperdine Graphic Media

M. Basketball fails to turn the tide against Portland Samantha Torre Sports Editor The Men’s Basketball Team hoped to turn the tide and score a win against the Portland Pilots but were unable to gain headway and lost 82-63.

In Pepperdine’s last game against St. Mary’s on Jan. 13, the Waves lost 77-62. The Waves have a five-day stretch without games, the longest since the season restarted Jan. 8.

“We will get some rest,” Men’s Head Basketball Coach Lorenzo Romar said. “We haven’t had a day off in a while.

We’ve just got to get back to the basics. Work on things that just make us a solid, fundamentally sound team and we got to start from there.”

Though the Waves won the tip-off, within the first two minutes of play, Portland scored two 3-pointers and a midrange shot, starting the game with a score of 8-0. Freshman guard Mike Mitchell Jr. scored a 3-pointer, getting the Waves on the scoreboard at 8-3.

In the rush down court, Portland’s Chika Nduka and senior guard Darryl Polk Jr. went down. Taking advantage of the confusion, freshman guard Houston Mallette scored a layup in a fast break, tightening the score to 10-5 with 15 minutes of play left in the first half.

“Throughout the game it was just hard to get my

rhythm,” Polk said. “So it was hard for me. But I just feel like you know, just on the defensive end pretty blessed.”

The Waves wrestled for the ball, and on a throw-in with 10 seconds left on the shot clock, the Waves searched for a hole in Portland’s defense.

The clock clicked down, four, three, two, and on one Polk scored a 3-pointer. Portland’s lead tightened at 15-8.

Portland made another mid-range shot before freshman forward Maxwell Lewis made a 3-pointer facing the next straight on, bringing the score to 17-11 with 11:40 left on the clock. Portland logged a 3-pointer widening the gap to 20-11.

Redshirt senior guard Jade’ Smith took a hard fall as Kristian Sjolund scored a 3-pointer.

Smith claimed two foul shots resulting in a score of 23-13.

Portland made another 3-pointer before the Waves scored two mid-range shots, bringing the score to 26-17.

In a 5-2 run, Portland outshot the Waves, and the score stood at 31-19 at 7:07.

Pepperdine made several shots, including two foul shots from junior forward Jan Zidek.

However, the Waves missed several foul shots, while Portland went on to score 10 more points, creating a 14-point gap at 41-27.

With less than two minutes

until halftime, Zidek scored a mid-range shot and Lewis shot a 3-pointer, bringing the score to 41-32. Portland was awarded two foul shots, and the first quarter ended with a score of 43-32.

“We just didn’t do a very good job defending in the first half,” Romar said.

Out of halftime, the Pilots scored a shot within the key, but Lewis snatched the rebound and rushed up the court, sinking a layup and bringing the score to 45-34. Portland shot and missed, Lewis secured the rebound again and scored again for the Waves, shrinking the gap back down to single digits.

The Pilots sank a shot within the key and from the foul line before Zidek made a 3-pointer five minutes into the quarter.

The Pilots made several shots before Lewis and Obioha made one foul shot each, resulting in a score of 52-41. The Waves were on fire as Mitchell sank a layup and scored a 3-pointer in quick succession, shrinking the gap down to six.

The Pilots scored a foul shot, but Lewis sank a 3-pointer, bringing the Waves within four points of the Pilots at 53-49 at 9:35.

Portland scored eight more points before Zidek sunk a 3-pointer and with only seven minutes left of game time, the score was back in double digits at 61-51. The Pilots scored

Brandon Rubsamen, Staff Photographer | Freshman forward Maxwell Lewis leaps over Portland’s block at the Jan. 15 Men’s Basketball game. Pepperdine fell to the visiting Portland Pilots 82-63. again and Zidek made a midrange shot, keeping the gap at 10 points, before Portland racked up four more points.

Mallette made a 3-pointer at 5:07 and the Pilots scored a 3-pointer of their own, maintaining a 14 point gap, 70-56.

Portland made two foul shots and the score grew to 7256. Zidek scored within the key, but Portland claimed a 3-pointer standing at 75-58.

The Pilots would log four more points compared with the Waves two. At 43 seconds Mallette made a 3-pointer bringing the score to 79-63. Portland would score three more points

through foul shots, and the game came to a close at 82-63.

“I think our biggest thing is confidence,” Polk said. “You know, we lost a couple of games in a row, especially at home.

Gives us a chance to get to play an away game in a different environment are just going in there with confidence that we can win the game. That’s all we need.”

Athletics announced that the Waves’ game against Pacific scheduled for Jan. 17 will now be Feb. 17.

sam.torre@pepperdine.edu

B7

January 21, 2022 | SPORTS | Pepperdine Graphic Media

MVB pursues deep playoff push Jerry Jiang Sports Assistant Editor Pepperdine Men’s Volleyball continues to sustain its excellence while building off of the past season.

The Waves are coming into the season as the No. 1 ranked team in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation preseason coaches’ poll as well as No. 3 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association poll.

To balance expectations, graduate outside hitter Spencer Wickens said the team sees where they stand among each other instead of where everyone else expects them to be.

“Compete hard and put all of our effort in and see what comes out of it,” Wickens said.

“Just because we have good preseason rankings doesn’t mean that we’re going to be guaranteed a spot in the tournament or even in the final.”

Graduate outside hitter Austin Wilmot said the team is confident they’re a top three team in the country.

“You never know how well you do,” Wilmot said. “You might lose a game here or there, it’s about how you snap back and how you play the game after you lose and turn it around. That defines how the season will play out in the long run.”

Recapping Success

Last

Season’s

The team had an interesting season this past year.

After a 2-2 start in conference play, the Waves went on a five-game win streak, besting the likes of USC and Stanford.

Additionally, the team finished the regular season by sweeping the season series versus Grand Canyon University convincingly.

As the Waves prepared for the post season, Head Coach

David Hunt said every match was a learning curve. Now, they’re facing new challenges heading into this season.

“That growth arc that we saw was tremendous,” Hunt said. “I think this year, the challenge is most of our team, for freshmen and sophomores, it’s the first time they’re going through college. Last semester was the first semester they were a full-time college student, so how do we blend that, how do we prioritize time management, how do we prioritize volleyball when we need to prioritize volleyball.”

Photo Courtesy of Pepperdine Athletics | Pepperdine Men’s Volleyball team celebrates after scoring a Training Camp with USA point in a game in the 2021 season. Pepperdine made the MPSF Finals and the NCAA Tournament, but was knocked out in the first round.

Volleyball To prepare for this upcoming season, some of the Waves spent their summer in the USA Volleyball training camp.

The camp took place in Anaheim, and featured Hunt as the assistant coach of the Men’s Collegiate National Team. Graduate transfer opposite Jaylen Jasper, Wickens and Wilmot attended the camp, hoping to expand their games while learning from the best.

Wickens said he’s always working on his serve. As the outside hitter, he also needs to be creative with his play at the net.

“I’m not the biggest guy so the power shot doesn’t always work,” Wickens said. “So I have to find ways to be a little craftier to hit different shots so I can get the other team guessing.”

The experience with USA Volleyball was amazing, Wilmot said, because he had an opportunity to play with some of the players he watched on TV playing in tournaments that summer before.

Additionally, playing all summer long prepared Wilmot for the season, as he witnessed how some of the best volleyball

players prepared day-in and day-out and carried that experience back to Malibu.

Managing Expectations Hunt said the team’s overall culture explains why so many seniors returned. The players created an environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging, regardless of their role, Hunt said.

“That makes me feel a sense of pride as a coach where you’re glad that guys enjoy being here and want to maximize their time,” Hunt said. “I don’t know if it’s necessarily ‘Hey I want another crack at [NCAA Tournament]’, I think it plays into it. I think it’s more so, we’re around each other 132 days in terms of the practice gym and guys just want to maximize that for as long as possible.”

“As a coach, I don’t know how good these guys can be, in terms of are they close to their growth potential are they just starting out,” Hunt said.

While preparing for the season, Hunt said one of the biggest takeaways from the offseason was the development in Wilmot’s game.

“I think Austin is just scratching the surface on what he can do. So that was a big takeaway because we got him around other guys and he’s elevated his game, he’s had a great fall where he’s just getting better and better.”

Waves Display Depth as the Pandemic Persists The Waves face another challenge this year as the pandemic continues to ebb and flow, Hunt said.

“As a coach, you always have Plan A, Plan B, Plan C,” Hunt said. “You gotta have all of those ready to go at any point in time so it’s just communication, staying on top of it, just have all the details pointed out and then we adjust and it doesn’t rattle us.”

The added depth to the team makes navigating the unpredictable pandemic more feasible, Wilmot said. The talent of the team means there are youth national team members and junior national team members that haven’t seen the court yet.

“David Hunt says, ‘You can’t really control the things

out of your control as much as you want to,’” Wilmot said.

“Our team has enough players no matter who goes out. As long as we have eight or nine guys that are healthy we can put up a good fight against any team.”

These challenges add more fuel to the fire for the Waves.

As the season nears its return, Wickens said that the team’s collective mindset is in a good place.

“We’ve done some pretty cool things in the past,” Wickens said. “We’ve won the MPSF championship, we’ve been to the NCAA Tournament a couple of times, but I think we want to keep doing that type of stuff. We want to keep winning those tight matches at the end of the year, and get ourselves to a good spot, compete for a national title.”

The Waves defeated Erskine 3-0 on Jan. 13 and will face them again on Jan. 14 in Firestone Fieldhouse.

JERRY.JIANG@PEPPERDINE.EDU

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WHAT: MTEN VS ARIZONA WHERE: MALIBU WHEN: 2 P.M.

WHAT: MGOLF VS SOUTHWESTERN INVITATIONAL WHERE: MALIBU WHEN: ALL DAY

WHAT: MGOLF VS SOUTHWESTERN INVITIATOINAL WHERE: MALBU WHEN: ALL DAY

WHAT: MGOLF VS SOUTHWESTERN INVITATOINAL WHERE: MALIBU WHEN: ALL DAY

WHAT: MBB VS SAN DIEGO WHERE: SAN DIEGO WHEN: 7:30 P.M. WHAT: WBB VS GONZAGA WHERE: MALIBU WHEN: 7:30 P.M.

WHAT: MVB VS LEWIS WHERE: MALIBU WHEN: 7 P.M.

WHAT: MTEN VS DENVER WHERE: LOS ANGELES WHEN: 10 A.M. WHAT: WTEN VS COLUMBIA WHERE: LOS ANGELES WHEN: 10 A.M.