Tulane University
New Orleans
Beach Volleyball Goes 2-0, Opens 2021 Season with Wins Over UNO and UAB
Feb 26, 2021 | Women's Beach Volleyball
NEW ORLEANS — The Tulane beach volleyball team went 2-0 on Friday to open the 2021 season in the Green Wave Invitational, defeating UNO 5-0 before earning a 4-1 win over CCSA opponent UAB at the White Sands Volleyball Courts.
The Olive and Blue's number one pair, in graduate students Eva Torruella and Tarin Mergener, beat UNO's Veronica Corcoran and Victoria Corcoran in straight sets (26-24, 21-19) before earning a two-set win over UAB's No. 1 pair in Rachel Tam and Mikayla Heese (21-17, 22-20). Torruella notched 16 kills, one block and one ace against the Privateers.
Graduate student Allison Olsonoski and sophomore Kendall Peters also went undefeated in both matches, recording convincing wins over UNO's Ally Carr and Maxine Walsh (21-16, 21-10) and UAB's Emma Andraka and Adriana Pereira (21-18, 21-15) on court two. Peters totaled 16 kills and two aces against city-rival New Orleans, while Olsonoski added five kills, four blocks and one ace.
Senior Addison Hermstad and sophomore Samantha Mehlman joined forces on the sand from the No. 3 spot, taking down UNO's Brianna Vega and Alexa Spartz (21-13, 21-12) and UAB's Dylynn Otte and Jenna Gathrigh (21-16, 21-15). Hermstad led the way for the Green Wave, totaling 17 kills in the first match of the day, also adding one block and one ace.Â
Also earning two wins on Friday was Green Wave newcomers in freshman Lara Torruella and graduate student Avery Arellano from court four. The two beat UNO's Madeline Drake and Liz Gialanella (21-10, 21-9) before recording a come-from-behind win over UAB's Annie Pringle and Ella Alexander (20-22, 21-18, 15-11).
Tulane will be back in action on Saturday as the team is set to host Utah and Southeastern Louisiana in day two of the Green Wave Invitational, competing at 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., respectively.
Tulane 5, UNO 0
Court 1: Eva Torruella and Tarin Mergener (TU) def. Veronica Corcoran and Victoria Corcoran (UNO) 26-24, 21-19
Court 2: Allison Olsonoski and Kendall Peters (TU) def. Ally Carr and Maxine Walsh (UNO) 21-16, 21-10
Court 3: Addison Hermstad and Samantha Mehlman (TU) def. Brianna Vega and Alexa Spartz (UNO) 21-13, 21-12
Court 4: Lara Torruella and Avery Arellano (TU) def. Madeline Drake and Liz Gialanella (UNO) 21-10, 21-9
Court 5: Ashton Mares and Maddie Speicher (TU) win by default 21-0, 21-0
Tulane 4, UAB 1
Court 1: Eva Torruella and Tarin Mergener (TU) def. Rachel Tam and Mikayla Heese (UAB) 21-17, 22-20
Court 2: Allison Olsonoski and Kendall Peters (TU) def. Emma Andraka and Adriana Pereira (UAB) 21-18, 21-15
Court 3: Addison Hermstad and Samantha Mehlman (TU) def. Dylynn Otte and Jenna Gathright (UAB) 21-16, 21-15
Court 4: Lara Torruella and Avery Arellano (TU) def. Annie Pringle and Ella Alexander (UAB) 20-22, 21-18, 15-11
Court 5: Sallianne Napolitano and Sarah Dickson (UAB) def. Ashton Mares and Maddie Speicher (TU) 24-22, 21-14
Court 6 (Exh.): Rio Frohoff and Gabriella Becerra (TU) def. Pearl Moore and Jessica Ennis (UAB) 24-22, 21-17
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