Tulane University
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Beach Volleyball Goes 2-0 Friday, Defeats UAB and Southern Miss
Mar 8, 2019 | Women's Beach Volleyball
GULF SHORES, Alabama – The Tulane beach volleyball team (7-6, 4-4 CCSA) went 2-0 on day one of the March to May, defeating conference foes UAB and Southern Mississippi with 4-1 and 5-0 scores.
"I'm very proud of our players for earning two conference wins today," head coach Wayne Holly said. "We're continuing to look for ways to improve so we can peak later in the season."
Tulane's No. 1 pair in juniors Kaylie McHugh and Eva Torruella extended their winning streak to eight matches on Friday, taking down UAB's Jaelyn Keene and Jayme Bratsberg in straight sets before earning the two-set win over Southern Mississippi's Kylie Grande and Lindsey Legg.
Sophomores Rio Frohoff and Lauren Orlich also went 2-0 on court two, earning consecutive three-set victories on the sand. The pair won the first set, dropped the second and came back to win the third in both matches, beating UAB's Kenley Adams and Salli Napolitano before earning the win over Southern Miss' Abbey Wilson and Cyan Blackdeer.
Junior Tarin Mergener and sophomore Addison Hermstad dominated from the No. 3 position, defeating UAB's Tressa Buckland and Annie Pringle in straight sets before taking down Piper Matsumoto and Kellie Garaway from Southern Miss with 21-11 and 21-12 scores.
The duo on court four also pulled off two three-set victories, with freshmen Haley Gibson and Ellie Leitko doing so in come-from-behind fashion over UAB's Brittney Munro and Emily Martinez after falling 19-21 in the first set and turning things around with 21-13 and 15-10 scores in sets two and three. The two won the first set over Southern Miss' Olivia Hepworth and Breleigh Favre 21-16, fell in the second with a tight 24-26 score, and were able to come back to secure the win in the third, 15-8.
Sophomore Gabriella Becerra and freshman Kilani Daane teamed up on court five to notch the two-set win over Southern Miss' Jessica Austin and Maddie Lawler, 21-17 and 21-15.
The Green Wave are back in action tomorrow, taking on UNO at 7:30 a.m. and No. 18 Georgia State at 9 a.m., before closing the weekend action with a matchup against Houston Baptist at 4 p.m.Â
The March to May
Friday Results
Tulane 4, UAB Â 1
1. Kaylie McHugh/Eva Torruella (TU)Â def. Jaelyn Keene/Jayme Bratsberg (UAB) 21-18, 21-18
2. Rio Frohoff/Lauren Orlich (TU) def. Kenley Adams/Salli Napolitano (UAB) 21-17, 19-21, 15-12
3. Tarin Mergener/Addie Hermstad (TU) def. Tressa Buckland/Annie Pringle (UAB) 21-17, 21-12
4. Haley Gibson/Ellie Leitko (TU) def. Brittney Munro/Emily Martinez (UAB) 19-21, 21-13, 15-10
5. Emma Andraka/Jenna Gathright (UAB) vs. Gabby Becerra/Morgan Esters (TU) 21-14, 21-19
Tulane 5, Southern Miss 0
1. Kaylie McHugh/Eva Torruella (TU) def. Kylie Grandy/Lindsey Legg (SM) 21-12, 21-14
2. Rio Frohoff/Lauren Orlich (TU) def. Abbey Wilson/Cyan Blackdeer (SM) 21-16, 13-21, 16-14
3. Tarin Mergener/Addie Hermstad (TU) def. Piper Matsumoto/Kellie Garraway (SM) 21-11, 21-12
4. Haley Gibson/Ellie Leitko (TU) def. Olivia Hepworth/Breleigh Favre (SM) 21-16, 24-26, 15-8
5. Gabby Becerra/Kilani Daane (TU) def. Jessica Austin/Maddie Lawler (SM) 21-17, 21-15
Follow Tulane beach volleyball on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. Follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook and 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.
