Tulane University
College of Charleston
Tulane Downs Host College of Charleston, 4-1
Mar 27, 2015 | Women's Beach Volleyball
CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The Tulane sand volleyball team (10-6) returned to South Carolina on Friday, starting the College of Charleston Sand Classic with an emphatic 4-1 win over the host school. Not only did the Wave capture its third straight win on the season, but also their first true road victory as well.
The flight four and five pairs of Miah Diirell/Annie Shurtz and Christina McAfee/Sarah Strasner kicked off the match in the first wave of action, but were soon halted due to weather. After a lengthy lightning delay, the Green Wave regrouped and rebounded after dropping their respective first sets to come back and claim three-set victories on both courts.
Thus, Diirell/Shurtz earned a 17-21, 21-14, 15-6 win over Mackenzie Cooler and Lauren Hollman, while McAfee/Strasner logged a 14-21, 21-16, 15-9 win vs. Megan Quiggley and Krissy Mummey.
"After a sluggish start on courts four and five, the players did an excellent job of coming out after a mid-match storm delay to play much better volleyball and get us two wins to start the dual," Tulane head coach Wayne Holly said. "Those first round wins put a lot of pressure on our opponents to beat us at the higher flights. Christina and Sarah were especially great with executing their game plan after the break."
The freshmen pairing of Lan Nguyen and Maddy Mertz have found quite the home in the No. 3 flight, a position where they went 3-0 last weekend. On Friday, they continued their early success with a 21-11, 21-14 win over Bailey Humes and Grace Rebarchack.
"Maddy and Lan are really settling into a nice place with their game," Holly added. "They have sharpened their skills, are communicating better and playing with the confidence we are accustomed to seeing out of them."
Rounding out the Tulane scoring was the flight No. 1 pairing of Tea Juric and Jackie Wegner, who recorded a 22-20, 21-17 winning decision against Melissa Morello and Catey Warren. The win was the duo's 12th on the year and fifth straight.
"Tea and Jackie continue to play very good volleyball at the No. 1 flight," Holly explained. "They have improved their sideout game and are playing brilliantly in transition after blocking and defending. They are out to prove they are among the country's best and are playing consistent with that attitude."
On Saturday, the Green Wave will look to topple the seventh ranked Georgia State Panthers (12-1) at 7 a.m. CT, followed by Stetson (11-1) at 11:30 a.m.
Green Wave Results
Tulane 4 -- College of Charleston 1
Court 1: Tea Juric/Jackie Wegner (TU) def. Melissa Morello/Catey Warren (CoC), 22-20, 21-17
Court 2: Maddie Hills/Lizzie Theesfeld (CoC) def. Grace Weaver/Hannah Holmes (TU), 21-19, 21-18
Court 3: Madeline Mertz/Lan Nguyen (TU) def. Bailey Humes/Grace Rabarchack (CoC), 21-11, 21-14
Court 4: Miah Diirell/Annie Shurtz (TU) def. Mackenzie Cooler/Lauren Hollman (CoC), 17-21, 21-14, 15-6
Court 5: Christina McAfee/Sarah Strasner (TU) def. Megan Quiggley/Krissy Mummey (CoC), 14-21, 21-16, 15-9
