Tulane University
Charlotte (C-USA Tournament)
Green Wave Survives Slugfest At C-USA Volleyball Tournament
Nov 19, 2004 | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 19, 2004
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Freshman Sarah Weiland had a double-double with 17 kills and 10 digs, and set a conference tourney record with seven service aces, as the No. 5 seed Tulane University volleyball team survived a slugfest over 11th-seeded Charlotte, 3-1, in the first round of the 2004 ChevronTexaco C-USA Tournament Friday evening at Cardinal Arena.
The first two games were decided by a combined four points as the 49ers won game one, 30-28, before the Green Wave rebounded to take the second stanza, 32-30. From there, Tulane was able to win a closely-contested game three, 30-25, and rolled to a 30-20 game-four decision to clinch the match. With the win, Tulane improves to 17-9 on the year, and will advance to play fourth-seeded Marquette on Saturday at 7 p.m. Charlotte, meanwhile, concludes its 2004 season 19-14.
"This was like a heavyweight prizefight," head coach Betsy Becker said. "These two teams kept trading shots to the body all night, and fortunately, we were still standing at the end. Charlotte is one of the most technically sound teams we've played all year, and I'm proud of the way our team responded.
"Weiland was outstanding tonight. She had the Midas touch, but we had a great, cooperative team effort. Starting as late as we did, the team was a little hungry, and played like we were hungry for a win. I'm glad to see us able to put the nails in the coffin late in the match, and hopefully we can have that type of effort tomorrow night."
Weiland was joined in the double-double club by senior outside hitter Lindsey Norman, who posted 14 kills and 10 digs, and fellow rookie Brittany Esser, who had 43 of Tulane's 48 assists to go along with a career-best 11 digs. Junior libero Kelli Dickson led all players with 17 digs, and senior middle blocker Deva Fowler had a match-best six blocks - including two solo stuffs - and added 11 kills in 20 swings.
Tulane jumped out to an early 4-1 lead in game one, but the advantage soon evaporated as the 49ers used a 10-5 run to go on top 11-9. The two teams would trade points for most of the remainder of the stanza, and the Green Wave actually led 27-26, but Charlotte used a 4-1 rally to end the contest to win the opening frame.
It would be the 49ers that would stake claim to a 4-1 lead in game two, but as Charlotte had done in game one, the Green Wave battled back to tie the score at 6-all before using an 8-5 rally to go ahead 14-11. The lead would change hands four more times the rest of the way, and the 49ers held serve and a 28-27 lead late in the stanza. From there, Tulane scored two straight, and while squandering its first game-point opportunity, was able to capitalize the second time around to tie the match at one game apiece going into the locker room at the break.
Game three began as a back-and-forth battle and became a game of runs. After essentially trading the first nine points of the contest, Tulane pushed a 5-4 advantage into a nine-point lead at 19-10. The Green Wave held a 20-12 lead three points later, but Charlotte 10-1 rally to claim a 23-22 advantage. The lead would be short-lived, however, as Tulane used a 6-0 run to take a 27-22 lead it would not relinquish en routé to a 2-games-to-one advantage.
The final game followed a similar script early on as the two teams battled to an 8-8 deadlock over the first 16 serves. From there, Tulane used a 10-1 run to take a commanding 18-9 advantage, pushed the lead to as many as 11 at 25-14, and cruised to a 10-point, match-deciding win.
Abbey Szlanfucht was the lone 49er student-athlete to post a double-double, leading the team with 14 kills and 15 digs. Jessica Oldenburg posted 11 kills for the match, and Lisa Newell was close behind with 10.
