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Coach Fred Battenfield wanted his first-year program to experience playing one of the nation’s best teams — he got that and more.
North Greenville in the program’s inaugural match lost to No. 1 Pepperdine 25-10, 25-14, 25-17 on Saturday in Spartanbug, South Carolina.
Pepperdine in the victory out-hit North Greenville .378 to negative-.032, including having a .625 attack percentage in the opening game. In addition, middle attacker Mitchell Penning led Pepperdine with five kills and five blocks.
Outside attackers Curtis Westra and Martin Alcox in the loss each finished with a match-high six kills.
Check out Off the Block’s postmatch interview with Battenfield as the coach discusses his team’s performance, growing his first-year Conference Carolinas program and the challenge playing a team like Pepperdine.