Tulane University
Florida State University
No. 18 Beach Volleyball Sweeps Tampa After Falling to No. 3 FSU in Season Opener
Feb 23, 2019 | Women's Beach Volleyball
TALLAHASSEE, Florida – No. 18 Tulane beach volleyball swept the University of Tampa (5-0) after falling to No. 3 Florida State (0-5) in the team's season opener, going 1-1 on the first day of action in the Home2 Suites Hilton-Tallahassee State Capitol Invitational.
"Our results today were okay. I'm proud of how hard our team played and how well we did with many of our first day goals," head coach Wayne Holly said. "Still, we all desire even more. There are no moral victories – we are all going to continue to work together to become even stronger. In that sense, our success today is best measured by how well we will convert the lessons of today into improved performances tomorrow and beyond. We're all motivated by all the good things we did and excited for the opportunity to compete again tomorrow."
The Green Wave recorded two-set wins on four courts in their match against Tampa on Saturday, with sophomore Gabriella Becerra and freshman Ellie Leitko starting it off for the team with a 21-16 win in the first set and a 21-14 win in the second over Natalie Gilbert and Erica Haslag on court five.
Junior Tarin Mergener partnered with sophomore Addie Hermstad on court four, also earning two quick wins against Nylah Demps and Melissa Elias, with 21-15 and 24-22 scores.
Sophomores Ashley Delgado and Lauren Orlich ultimately solidified the win for the Wave, making it a 3-0 match with 21-13 and 21-15 scores in the No. 2 position.
Junior Kaylie McHugh and Eva Torruella then extended Tulane's lead, teaming up on court one to earn 21-18 and 21-12 wins.
Sophomore Rio Frohoff and freshman Haley Gibson earned a tight three-set win on court three, winning the first set 21-17 before falling 16-21 in the second. The pair then pulled out a close 15-13 win in set three to complete the team's first win in 2019.
After falling in the first set with an 18-21 score against Florida State, McHugh and Torruella defeated Brooke Kuhlman and Payton Rund in set two, 21-16, to force a deciding third set.
The No. 1 pair was unable to come out on top in the match, ultimately taking an 8-5 loss in set three.
Mergener and Hermstad also forced Seminoles Sara Putt and Payton Caffrey to three sets on court four, taking set one with a 21-14 score. The two were just short of winning sets two and three, falling in close 19-21 and 12-15 scores on the sand.
The Green Wave will keep the action going in Tallahassee on Sunday, matching up against No. 6 Cal Poly at 7:15 a.m. before facing conference opponent LSU at 9 a.m.
Home2 Suites by Hilton-Tallahassee State Capitol Invitational
Day One Results
#3 Florida State 5, #18 Tulane 0
1. Brooke Kuhlman/Payton Rund (FS) def. Kaylie McHugh/Eva Torruella (TU) 21-18, 16-21, 15-8
2. Alaina Chacon/Madison Fitzpatrick (FS) def. Lauren Orlich/Ashley Delgado (TU) 21-17, 21-13
3. Molly McBain/Kate Privett (FS) def. Rio Frohoff/Haley Gibson (TU) 21-10, 21-14
4. Sara Putt/Payton Caffrey (FS) def. Tarin Mergener/Addison Hermstad (TU) 14-21, 21-19, 15-12
5. Macy Jerger/Avery Poppinga (FS) def. Morgan Esters/Gabriella Becerra (TU) 21-15, 21-16
Order of finish: 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
#18 Tulane 5, University of Tampa 0
1. Kaylie McHugh/Eva Torruella (TU) def. Sorrel Houghton/Julia Oswald (UT) 21-18, 21-12
2. Ashley Delgado/Lauren Orlich (TU) def. Katie McKiel/Valerie Rosequist (UT) 21-13, 21-15
3. Rio Frohoff/Haley Gibson (TU) def. Lexi Thompson/Rachel Rosequist (UT) 21-17, 16-21, 15-13
4. Addison Hermstad/Tarin Mergener (TU) def. Nylah Demps/Melissa Elias (UT) 21-15, 24-22
5. Gabriella Becerra/Ellie Leitko (TU) def. Natalie Gilbert/Erica Haslag (UT) 21-16, 21-14
Order of finish: 5, 6, 4, 2, 1, 3
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