Tulane University
25-8, 13-5American
Memphis
11-19, 4-14American
Volleyball Sweeps Memphis on Senior Day
Nov 21, 2018 | Women's Volleyball
NEW ORLEANS – On a day where the team honored its trio of seniors in middle hitter Dayna Kern, libero Lisa Mordell and middle hitter Hannah Shaw, the Tulane Green Wave volleyball team closed out the 2018 regular season with a three-set sweep of the Memphis Tigers Friday afternoon in New Orleans 25-15, 25-15, 25-19.
"Great way to cap off the regular season and honor our three seniors," head coach Jim Barnes said. "All three have pulled our program to an elite status. I couldn't be more proud of our team and we look forward to seeing what our postseason will look like on Sunday."
Tulane (25-8, 13-5) finished the year winning 13 of its final 14 games, as Friday the team was led by Kern and sophomore outside hitter Lexie Douglas with 12 kills each. The Green Wave finished the day hitting .268 as a team, with Kern hitting .579 and Douglas hitting .417.
Fresman setter Taylor Henigsman had 14 of Tulane's 35 assists, while sophomore setter Jenna Ibieta had 13. Junior libero Kaylie McHugh and freshman outside hitter Makala Heidelberg finished tied in digs with 11, as the Green Wave had 43 in the match.
The squad registered nine blocks against Memphis (11-19, 4-14), as the front line of junior right side hitter Erika Hansel, Kern, freshman middle hitter Kayla Dinkins and freshman outside hitter Yvette Burcescu registered three each. The Tulane defense held Memphis to a hitting percentage of zero, as the Tigers ended the match with 27 kills and 27 errors on 103 attempts.
Both sides spent the early portion of the first set trading points to the tune of eight ties and four lead changes. With the match tied at 8-8, a kill by Douglas set off a string of four consecutive points for the home side, forcing Memphis into a timeout with the score 12-8. Memphis would eventually pull within one of the Wave at 15-14, but Tulane would close out the set winning 10 of the next 11 points to earn the first set victory 25-15.Â
The Green Wave grabbed a quick 5-1 lead to start the second set, with one kill from Douglas and two from Kern getting the offensive momentum started. A 5-0 run from Tulane, will five consecutive kills from the Olive and Blue, kept the home team on top with a 16-11 score. Tulane would ultimately stay ahead for the remainder of the match, finishing with a 10-point lead and a 25-15 score to earn a 2-0 advantage in the match.
Tulane hit .312 as a team in the third and final set of action, tallying 13 kills with only three errors. Douglas led the Green Wave with five kills of eight total attacks, hitting .625. Tulane held the lead for the entirety of the set, bouncing back from a Tigers run with kills from Kern and Douglas keeping the Green Wave ahead, 21-18. Kern and Heidelberg teamed up for a block to put Tulane at match point, 24-19, before a Memphis attacking error solidified the Green Wave's 14th win at home this season.Â
Tulane will compete in postseason play this season, as the Green Wave were one of seven teams to earn an automatic bid to the 2018 National Invitational Volleyball Championships.
The Green Wave are still eligible for an at-large qualification to the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA Tournament field will be announced on Nov. 25 in a live selection show on ESPNU at 7:30 p.m.
Follow Tulane volleyball on social media at @GreenWaveVB on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.
WE ARE NOLA BUILT
Tulane University is located in the city of New Orleans. It is a city built on tradition and resiliency. The lessons Green Wave student-athletes have learned through their connection with this university and city have BUILT doctors, lawyers, business leaders, conference champions, all-conference players, all-Americans, professional athletes and NCAA tournament teams. The city of New Orleans has shaped us into who we are today. We are One City. We are Tulane. We are NOLA BUILT. Check out our story at NolaBuilt.com.
