Tulane takes down Tulsa for first conference volleyball win

TULSA, OKLA. – Tulane volleyball earned its first American Athletic Conference win of the season, Sunday afternoon in Tulsa, Okla., defeating Tulsa, 3-1 (25-18, 27-25, 18-25, 25-17). The Green Wave improves to 12-3 overall, 1-1 American.

In the first set, the Green Wave fell behind early, but an 11-3 run by Tulane broke the frame open and helped it recapture the lead at 13-8. Tulane kept distance between itself and Tulsa, leading 20-16, before going on a 5-2 run to close out the set. Freshman outside hitter Lexie Douglas recorded three kills in the first set and sophomore libero Kaylie McHugh notched five digs, helping the Wave hold Tulsa to an attack percentage of .053 in the first.

Tulane struggled mightily in the second set, attacking to a clip of just .071, but came from behind to take the set, 27-25. Initially tied at 12 apiece, the Green Wave trailed 20-17, as it could not generate a consistent offensive attach. A timeout by head coach Jim Barnes helped Tulane regroup and find another gear, as the team went on a 7-4 run to tie the set at 24. Freshman middle hitter Markenzie Benoit’s three second set kills helped the Green Wave close out the frame and extend its lead to 2-0.

The Green Wave’s struggles continued into the third set, and it could not overcome its own offensive ineffectiveness to close out the match, losing 25-18. Tulane recorded an attack percentage of .079 in the third, as it failed to mount a serious threat.

The fourth set, however, told a different story, as Tulane came out reinvigorated and won the set, 25-17, to seal the match victory. Douglas finished with a double-double, recording a match-high 13 kills and 10 digs, while sophomore middle hitter Erika Hansel came off the bench to provide four kills (attack percentage of .600). McHugh recorded 27 digs and senior setter Justine Bowers notched a match-high 20 assists and 11 digs to record a double-double.

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“We won on the road,” head coach Jim Barnes said. “It’s not easy in this league; it’s a good league. We didn’t play well, but we played well enough to win, and I think we learned a lot on this road trip, being our first road trip with this young team. We’ll take some great lessons from this weekend.”

Up Next
Tulane returns home to Avron B. Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse next weekend, hosting Temple (5-5 overall, 1-1 American) and UConn (8-6 overall, 1-1 American). The Green Wave plays Temple, 7 p.m., Friday, before squaring off against UConn, 12 p.m., Sunday.

Season ticket packages for the 2017 season are on sale now. Tickets may be purchased by calling 504-861-WAVE(9283), logging onto TulaneTix.com or visiting the ticket office at the James W. Wilson Jr. Center.

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