Tulane University
Utah
Beach Volleyball Goes Undefeated in Green Wave Invitational, Moves to 4-0 in 2021
Feb 27, 2021 | Women's Beach Volleyball
NEW ORLEANS — Tulane beach volleyball moved to 4-0 in 2021 after sweeping Utah and Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday at the White Sands Volleyball Courts to close out the Green Wave Invitational and the team's season-opening weekend.
"We are proud of our unit and the way we started this highly anticipated 2021 season," head coach Eyal Zimet said. "The focus, the intensity, the passion for the game and the joy of competition from each of our players translated beautifully into well earned success on the sand. This was a gorgeous weekend of competition! We are looking forward to watching film and getting back on the sand on Monday to add tools in our toolbox before the Bayou Beach Duals next weekend."
Graduate students Eva Torruella and Tarin Mergener won in straight sets in both matches, as the pair defeated Utah's Grace Andrews and Marissa Koch (21-12, 21-14) and SLU's Mikayla Richard and Meagan Scuderi (21-19, 21-10) on court one. Torruella and Mergener each recorded 21 kills in two matches, while Torruella added five aces and one block.
In the No. 2 position, graduate transfer Allie Olsonoski teamed up with sophomore Kendall Peters, notching a 21-18, 21-13 win over Utah's Keana Smalls and Sage Patchell before beating Southeastern Louisiana's Hannah Barosh and Michelle Mirarchi (21-10, 21-9). Peters recorded 20 kills and two aces on Saturday while Olsonoski totaled 21 kills, two blocks and two aces on the sand.
Senior Addison Hermstad and sophomore Samantha Mehlman teamed up on court three, earning convincing wins over Utah's Olivia Teerlink and Camille Lee (21-12, 21-13) and SLU's Linsey Sackett and Marisa Calvaruso (21-11, 21-10). Hermstad recorded a team-high 26 kills and six blocks in two matches, while Mehlman added 19 kills and eight aces in four sets of action.
Graduate transfer Avery Arellano and freshman Lara Torruella joined forces from the No. 4 position, defeating Utah's Mia Kowalczyk and Joana Saucedo Mondragon (21-15, 21-7) and SLU's Eryn Wilks and Nylissa Snagg (21-6, 21-14). Arellano totaled 16 kills and two aces in the duo's win over the Utes while Torruella recorded eight kills and one ace.
From the No. 5 spot, seniors Rio Frohoff and Gabriella Becerra dominated in the first match of the day, defeating Utah's Macy Rideout and Hannah Stahle (21-4, 21-4). Frohoff notched an impressive 15 kills in two sets, also recording two aces, while Becerra totaled seven kills and two aces.
In an exhibition match on court six against Utah, sophomore Ashton Mares and freshman Maddie Speicher earned a two-set win (21-7, 21-5) over Kaiya Liwanag and Abby Cramer. Both totaled six kills, while Mares added six aces and Speicher had five. Speicher also competed alongside graduate transer Laura Mascuillo in an exhibition match against UAB's No. 6 pair, taking down the Blazers with 21-16 and 21-18 scores.
Junior Haley Gibson and freshman Savka Popovic teamed up in an exhibition match against UAB, taking down the Blazers in straight sets (21-15, 21-10). Becerra and Frohoff also defeated Mares and Speicher (15-13, 15-11) in a Green Wave matchup, while senior Morgan Esters and freshman Sophia Gammarino beat freshmen Julia Soeller and Addison Peeler in a three-set Tulane vs. Tulane battle (21-18, 19-21, 15-13).
The Green Wave will be back in action next weekend, hosting the Bayou Beach Duals at the White Sands Volleyball Courts. Tulane is set to face Texas A&M Kingsville and Florida State on Friday at 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., respectively, before matching up against Spring Hill College and Louisiana Monroe on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., respectively.
Tulane 5, Utah 0
Court 1: Eva Torruella and Tarin Mergener (TU) def. Grace Andrews and Marissa Koch (Utah) 21-12, 21-14
Court 2: Allison Olsonoski and Kendall Peters (TU) def. Keana Smalls and Sage Patchell (Utah) 21-18, 21-13
Court 3: Addison Hermstad and Samantha Mehlman (TU) def. Olivia Teerlink and Camille Lee (Utah) 21-12, 21-13
Court 4: Avery Arellano and Lara Torruella (TU) def. Mia Kowalczyk and Joana Saucedo Mondragon (Utah) 21-15, 21-7
Court 5: Rio Frohoff and Gabriella Becerra (TU) def. Macy Rideout and Hannah Stahle (Utah) 21-4, 21-4
Court 6 (Exh.): Ashton Mares and Maddie Speicher (TU) def. Kaiya Liwanag and Abby Cramer (Utah) 21-7, 21-5
Tulane 5, SLU 0
Court 1: Tarin Mergener and Eva Torruella (TU) def. Mikayla Richard and Meagan Scuderi (SLU) 21-19, 21-1
Court 2: Kendall Peters and Allison Olsonoski (TU) def. Hannah Barosh and Michelle Mirarchi (SLU) 21-10, 21-9
Court 3: Addison Hermstad and Samantha Mehlman (TU) def. Linsey Sackett and Marisa Calvaruso (SLU) 21-11, 21-10
Court 4: Avery Arellano and Lara Torruella (TU) def. Eryn Wilks and Nylissa Snagg (SLU) 21-6, 21-14
Court 5: Rio Frohoff and Gabriella Becerra (TU) win by default 21-0, 21-0
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.
