Tulane University
4-5,2-0AAC
Memphis
3-3,0-2AAC
Volleyball Sweeps Memphis Saturday, Moves to 2-0 in Conference Play
Feb 13, 2021 | Women's Volleyball
NEW ORLEANS — The Tulane volleyball team (4-5, 2-0 AAC) moved to 2-0 in American Athletic Conference play as the Green Wave swept Memphis (3-3, 0-2 AAC) at Avron B. Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse on Saturday.
"We're 2-0. That's what our season is all about is this conference race," head coach Jim Barnes said. "We held our own at home and put a team away like we should and now Houston, a team that's 2-0 as well, we've got to go do that on the road. We have a lot ahead of us and we're growing day by day, so we'll be ready."
Freshman libero Sophia Ervanian made her way into the Tulane program record books in the win, taking the number one spot in digs in a three-set match with a total of 30.
Earning a consecutive double-double was senior outside hitter Lexie Douglas, who recorded 15 kills and 11 digs. Freshman outside hitter Mackenzie Martin and junior middle hitter Kayla Dinkins each added nine kills in the sweep, while junior right side hitter Yvette Burcescu notched four kills and four blocks.
Junior setter Amanda Giardina totaled 18 assists while junior setter Taylor Henigsman added 16 in three sets.
The first set marked a back-and-forth game from the start, with 16 tie scores and nine lead changes. Five kills from Tulane sparked a 7-2 run that put the Green Wave ahead 17-15 before Memphis came back to tie it up at 17. There were tie scores at the next five points until a kill from Douglas put the OIive and Blue at set point and a Tigers attacking error closed it out for Tulane, 25-23.
Memphis jumped out to an early 6-2 lead to start the second set and held it until consecutive kills from Douglas, Davis and Martin tied the score at 15. The ties continued, as a kill and service ace from Martin evened the score at 19. A 3-1 Tigers run put the team ahead, 22-20, before a 5-1 Green Wave run, with kills from Davis and Martin put Tulane on top at 26-24 to put the home team ahead 2-0 in the match.
The Green Wave were rolling to start the third set, recording five straight kills to take a 5-0 lead early. Tulane held its lead for the remainder of the set, with consecutive service aces from Giardina putting the home team at set point before a kill from Dinkins solidified the win at 25-16.
The Green Wave are headed to Houston, Texas next weekend as they continue on with conference play against the Houston Cougars on Thursday and Friday.
Follow Tulane volleyball on social media at @GreenWaveVB on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.
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