Volleyball Drops Five-Set Heartbreaker to SMU

Friday, September 30

New Orleans, La.

7 p.m. CT

Tulane University

9-6, 1-2

Southern Methodist University*

10-5, 3-0

SMU

Tulane

Photo by: Parker Waters

Volleyball Drops Five-Set Heartbreaker to SMU

Sep 30, 2016 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

Final Stats

NEW ORLEANS – A home victory wasn't in the cards for the Tulane volleyball team on Friday night in its return to Avron B. Fogelman Arena in Devlin Fieldhouse, as the Green Wave dropped a heartbreaking five-set loss to SMU after going up 2-0 early in the match. With the loss, Tulane moves to 9-6 on the year and 1-2 in American Athletic Conference play, while the Mustangs remain undefeated in conference on their 10-5, 3-0 record.

QUOTE

"We controlled the match the first two sets by following the game plan and playing really well. We just came out in set three and stopped passing the ball, and you can't do that against the best team in the league. If we continue to pass the ball and follow the game plan, we can win in three. They found a way to come back and beat us."

--Tulane head coach Jim Barnes

HOW IT WAS WON

Tulane jumped ahead early in each of the first two sets, putting on a dominating performance in front of a rowdy Fieldhouse crowd to take a 2-0 lead in the match. The Green Wave took the first set 25-21 and the second 25-17, holding nearly all of the game's momentum heading into the set break. SMU took advantage of a few early offensive runs in the third, cruising to a 25-15 victory before evening the match on a 25-14 score in the fourth set. Tulane hung tight with the Mustangs in the night's final outing, both teams playing point-for-point until SMU finished it off, 15-9. On the night, senior outside hitter Tea Juric with 10 kills, followed by junior right side Sarah Ray and sophomore outside hitter Hannah Shaw tied for nine apiece.

UP NEXT

The Green Wave close out this home stand on Sunday, hosting American Athletic Conference foe Tulsa at 1:00 p.m. in the Fieldhouse.

Following the match with Tulsa, Tulane will host the first of two free kids clinics for boys and girls ages 12 and under. Kids will have the opportunity to work with Tulane volleyball players and coaches on various volleyball skills inside the Fieldhouse. Parents should email assistant coach Meredith Schamun (mschamun@tulane.edu) for more information or if their child wishes to participate.