Malibu, California — Matthew Pollock has been promoted to associate head coach of the Pepperdine men's volleyball team, the head coach announced. Jonathan Winder today.
“Matt has represented the Pepperdine men's volleyball program so well that he is undeserving of this title,” Winder said. “He is incredibly loyal and passionate and cares deeply about each of our student-athletes. He brings energy and joy to the office and court every day.
“His high level of execution and creativity in his coaching has led to maximizing the potential of our student-athletes. I'm looking forward to seeing it continue in the next season.” ”
The former Waves standout just completed his fifth season as an assistant coach at Pepperdine in 2024. The team posted an overall record of 17-11 last season and finished fifth in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. He was recently selected as an assistant coach for USA Volleyball's 2024 U21 Norseca Men's Continental Championship. The championship will be competed in Nogales, Mexico, from June 9th to 17th, and training will be in Colorado Springs, Colorado, from June 1st to 8th.
“Thank you Jonathan and David.” [Hunt] “He's the one who gave me the opportunity to start my coaching career in the first place,” Pollock said. “Pepperdine has been a great place to learn and grow as a coach. Being here allows me to work with some of the best players and coaches in the country every day. I am proud to continue to impact lives.”
With Pollock on the sideline since the 2020 season, the Waves have reached the NCAA Championship twice and finished No. 5 nationally in both the 2021 and 2022 campaigns. Pepperdine amassed 73 wins and a .603 winning percentage during his tenure. 10 players earned AVCA All-American status and four second-team nominations, including MPSF Player of the Year Jalen Jasper An additional 14 Wave earned All-MPSF accolades, including three first-team selections.
Pollock played for the Waves from 2009 to 2012, the last two seasons as a starter at middle blocker. He earned honorable mention All-MPSF after his senior season. He played in 71 games and 242 sets over four years, averaging 1.89 kills, 1.05 blocks, and a .435 batting average. He hit .443 as a senior and .423 as a junior, ranking fourth and ninth, respectively, on Pepperdine's single-season record list.
After graduating from Pepperdine in 2012 with a degree in organizational communications, Pollock played professionally in Finland, Switzerland, Portugal, Italy and Germany. He won the Italian Cup with Roma Scarabeo in the 2017-18 season.
His experience with U.S. volleyball began as a student-athlete at Pepperdine University, and most recently played for the U.S. national team in 2018 on trips to Argentina and Mexico, the latter at the Pan American Cup.
Pollock, a native of Orland Park, Illinois, was an all-state player at Sandburg High School.