Volleyball Completes Comeback to Win Opening Match of Tulane Invitational

Friday, September 15

New Orleans, La.

7:00 p.m.

Tulane University

9-2

Northwestern State

4-8

NWST

Tulane

Volleyball Completes Comeback to Win Opening Match of Tulane Invitational

Sep 15, 2017 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

NEW ORLEANS – Tulane volleyball opened the Tulane Invitational in dramatic fashion on Friday night at Avron B. Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse, pulling off a comeback to defeat Northwestern State, 3-2. The win is the Green Wave's fourth straight, and Tulane's record now stands at 9-2 overall, 0-0 American.

Tulane and Northwestern State battled back and forth in the first set, exchanging leads on four occasions, before the Green Wave closed out the set, 25-23. Junior middle hitter Dayna Kern powered the Green Wave with four kills (.429 attack percentage), as her offensive spurred Tulane. Trailing 20-18, Kern and freshman outside hitter Lexie Douglas found another gear, driving the Wave's 9-3 run to win the set.

The Green Wave's team kill percentage plummeted from .326 in the first set to .158 in the second, as Tulane struggled to mount a consistent offensive attack. Despite holding NSU to an attack percentage of .231, the Wave dropped the second set, 25-21. Freshman middle hitter Markenzie Benoit provided four kills in the set, while sophomore libero Kaylie McHugh tallied four digs.
Tulane, plagued by a team attack percentage of .135, struggled in the third set, falling behind 20-13. A timeout by head coach Jim Barnes gave life to the Wave, as it surged behind freshman right side hitter Kristen Thompson's five kills (.300 attack percentage). NSU seemed to have the set on ice at 24-19, but Tulane added drama, battling to bring the score to 24-23, before losing.

The Green Wave's comeback began in the fourth, winning the set, 25-18, to tie the match at two and force a decisive fifth set. Tulane took command in the final set, maintaining a lead throughout. Douglas' booming match-winning kill punctuated a dramatic come-from-behind win. Douglas finished with 11 kills, while Kern finished with a team-high 12 kills. Freshman Jenna Ibieta recorded a double-double, posting 22 assists and 10 digs, and McHugh posted a team-high 20 digs.

Quote
"Northwestern State played great," head coach Jim Barnes said. "They played a tough game, and we could never get any separation from them. Hats off to them. It was a hard-fought win. They brought their best game, and we weren't quite clicking like we have been, but we found a way to win. I'm proud of the way we put it together, but we just have to come out a lot sharper tomorrow."

Up Next
The Green Wave is back in action tomorrow, playing Alabama State at 12:30 pm and North Florida at 7 p.m. ASU defeated North Florida, 3-1, prior to Tulane's win against Northwestern State.

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.

Follow Tulane volleyball on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. Follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and @TulaneAthletics on Snapchat.