Tulane University
Valparaiso
Volleyball Set to Host NIVC Quarterfinals, Prepares for Valparaiso
Dec 5, 2018 | Women's Volleyball
Match Notes
NEW ORLEANSย โย A four-set win over California Baptist earned the Tulane volleyball team a spot in the top eight of the 2018 National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC), matching up against Valparaiso on Thursday at 7 p.m. at home in the Green Wave's first-ever third round postseason appearance.
"We are very grateful to be able to host and play in the final eight of the NIVC," said head coach Jim Barnes of his third career postseason appearance. "We are the only team still playing in the AAC and in the state of Louisiana. Valpo is a tough team that plays really well defensively and we will need an all-out team effort to move onย to the semifinals."
This season marks the first since 2009, and only the third in program history, that Tulane has competed in postseason play. The Green Wave are the first team in the American Athletic Conference to reach the quarterfinals of the NIVC.ย
Finishing the regular season with a 25-8 overall and 13-5 record in the AAC, the Green Wave earned a final third-place conference standing after having been selected 10th in the preseason coaches poll.
Tulane now owns a 16-2 record on its home court in 2018. The last time the Green Wave won 16 home matches was 31 years ago, with a 33-7 overall record in 1987.
The Olive and Blue lead the conference defensively with an opponent hitting percentage of .148 while moving up to fifth in the nation defensively after two rounds of postseason action. The team ranks second in the conference in blocks and service aces, recording 2.44 and 1.42 per set, while also ranking third in kills, hitting percentage and assists with an average of 13.64, .233 and 13.04.
Sophomore outside hitter Lexie Douglas leads the team with 323 kills this season, followed by junior right side hitter Erika Hansel with 321, averaging 2.54 and 2.65 per set, respectively. Senior middle hitter Dayna Kern tops the stats with 137 total blocks, checking in at second in the conference, while also standing at fourth in the AAC with a .314 hitting percentage.
Junior libero Kaylie McHugh takes the number seven spot in the nation and leads the AAC with an average of 0.44 aces per set, totaling 58 this season, while also ranking seventh in digs with an average of 4.37 per set and a total of 572.
Valparaiso (27-10, 11-7 Missouri Valley Conference)
Valparaiso swept host Miami University in the second round of the NIVC after defeating Ball State 3-1 in the first, advancing to the third round with a matchup against Tulane in New Orleans.
This year marks the first since 2005 that Valparaiso has competed in postseason play, the team's seventh overall postseason appearance, and the first time the Crusaders have participated in the NIVC.
The Crusaders finished fourth of 12 in the Missouri Valley Conference, demonstrating strong defensive play with third-place standings in opponent hitting percentage and blocks, at .168 and 2.15 per set. The team also takes the number two spot in the conference with an average of 18.04 digs per set.
Sophomore middle hitter Peyton McCarthy leads the conference in blocks, totaling 130 with an average of 1.13 per set. Sophomore libero Rylee Cookerly checks in at second in the Missouri Valley with an average of 5.08 digs per set, totaling 722 this season and senior middle hitter Sydnee Bronner ranks fourth with a .300 hitting percentage.
The third-round NIVC matchup marks the first time in series history that the Green Wave will face the Crusaders.
The winner of Thursday's match is set to face the winner of the match between Clemson and College of Charleston on either Saturday or Sunday, with the semifinals location yet to be determined. Iowa State, North Texas, UNLV and Portland are the four remaining teams in the NIVC bracket.
Tickets for round three of the NIVC are available for $5 and can be purchased here.
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.
