By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
Rick Tune, who set blocking records at Hawaii,
will play his final season for Pepperdine.

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Tune to play
for Pepperdine

He will complete final year
of eligibility while pursuing a
masters degree in education

By Cindy Luis
Star-Bulletin

Rick Tune, who set two single-seasons blocking records for the University of Hawaii last season, will complete his collegiate volleyball eligibility at Pepperdine University.

Tune, a 6-foot-6 middle blocker, graduates this December from UH with a degree in history and political science. He begins graduate school at Pepperdine in January, pursuing a masters degree in education.

"It was a very tough decision," said Tune, one of the nation's leading blockers the past two seasons. "Basically, this was on the table the last three months and it was only within the last two weeks that I made up my mind.

"I have thoroughly researched my educational options and found the best match at Pepperdine. This decision in no way reflects the coaching staff or administration at the University of Hawaii. I have nothing but respect for my coaches, the trainers and support staff, and I will especially miss the Hawaii fans and boosters."

In order to play in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, the same conference as Hawaii, Tune needed to be released to compete at a rival institution. Athletic department officials granted him a one-time transfer.

"Coach (Mike) Wilton was very understanding and supportive of my situation," said Tune, who will be receiving financial aid to attend graduate school. "I hadn't planned on playing volleyball this season. With the extreme cost of this school and the offer of a financial scholarship, I decided this was best for me and my future."

Tune, a 1993 Punahou School graduate, led the country in hitting his sophomore year (.472).

This past year, he set single-season marks for block assists (142) and total blocks (162) and now ranks fifth on the UH all-time blocking list with 303.

http://uhathletics.hawaii.edu