Tulane University
Navy
Green Wave Volleyball Back on the Road, Matching up Against Navy, Rutgers and Howard
Sep 5, 2018 | Women's Volleyball
NEW ORLEANS – Coming off of a 2-2 record at last weekend's tournament, Tulane volleyball heads out for its second road trip of the season on Friday in the Rutgers Invitational. The Green Wave are set to match up against Navy and Rutgers on Friday, at 12 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., respectively, and Howard at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
"The Rutgers tournament is going to be a great challenge and test for our team. Navy and Howard are two very good teams and Rutgers has Big Ten athletes," head coach Jim Barnes said. "We have been very impressive this week in practice and look to continue developing our offense and defense. With our team speed, skill level and depth, we have the ability to do many things this weekend."
The Olive and Blue post a 6-2 record so far on the season, winning all six matches in three-set sweeps. Sophomore outside hitter Lexie Douglas leads the team in kills with 64, while junior libero Kaylie McHugh adds a team-high 104 digs and 13 service aces. Sophomore middle hitter Markenzie Benoit records 33 total blocks in eight matches, leading the team and ranking 13th in the NCAA Division I Statistics with 1.57 blocks per set.
Tulane's first tournament opponent, Navy, holds a 4-3 record after defeating Dartmouth and falling to Alabama last weekend. Sophomore outside hitter Maddi Sgattoni leads the team in kills with 74, while senior middle blocker Katie Patrick posts a team-high 27 blocks in seven matches this season and leads the Patriot League with a .463 hitting percentage.
Rutgers volleyball has gone 3-4 so far in 2018, losing its first three matches of the season before recording a 3-1 match series last weekend, defeating Coppin State, Lafayette and Rider while falling to Lehigh. Freshman setter Inna Balyko leads the Scarlet Knights in assists with 246 and service aces with nine, earning Big Ten Freshman of the Week last week, while junior middle blocker Stasa Miljevic posts 31 blocks so far in seven matches.
Howard posts a 5-2 record to start the season, going 3-0 in last weekend's Cardinal Classic to defeat Texas Southern, Lamar and Southern University. Sophomore outside hitter Jurnee Tipton recorded a team-high 78 kills in seven matches, with sophomore libero Fola Wilson adding 103 digs and senior setter Tamia Dockery tallying 248 assists to lead to team.
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