Tulane University
Central Arkansas
No. 20 Beach Volleyball Goes 2-0 to Open NOLA Classic
Mar 19, 2021 | Women's Beach Volleyball
NEW ORLEANS — The No. 20 Tulane beach volleyball team moved to 9-6 in 2021 after notching wins over Central Arkansas (4-1) and Texas A&M Corpus Christi (5-0) on Friday in day one of the NOLA Classic at the White Sands Volleyball Courts.
Graduate student Eva Torruella and sophomore Kendall Peters were successful in both matches at the No. 1 position, defeating UCA's Alyson Brinkley and Colene Hamilton (24-22, 21-14) and TAMUCC's Giuliana Poletti Corrales and Brooke Pertuit (21-17, 21-17). Torruella totaled 29 kills and two blocks on Friday while Peters recorded 31 kills and one ace.
On court two, graduate students Tarin Mergener and Allie Olsonoski earned wins over Central Arkansas' Evelyn Griffith and Faith Hasness (21-11, 21-13) and Texas A&M Corpus Christi's Brooke Adkisson and Kylie Kvam (21-15, 21-11). Mergener totaled 27 kills in the matches while Olsonoski recorded 19 kills, 12 blocks and four service aces.
Senior Addison Hermstad and sophomore Samantha Mehlman were successful from the No. 3 spot, recording wins in straight sets over UCA's Makenna Schmitt and Shannon Stone (21-11, 21-13) and TAMUCC's Taylor Horsfall and Emily Ramirez (21-18, 21-15). Hermstad recorded 25 kills, two blocks and six aces on Friday while Mehlman finished with 25 kills and three aces.
Graduate transfer Avery Arellano and freshman Lara Torruella found success on court four against Texas A&M Corpus Christi, defeating Mary Dodge and Migle Mazurkeviciute in three sets (22-20, 18-21, 15-9). Arellano recorded 48 kills, one block and five aces while Torruella totaled 22 kills, one block and five aces.
Seniors Rio Frohoff and Gabriella Becerra earned the three-set win on court five against Central Arkansas, defeating Payton Sproule and Kayla Cook (21-14, 19-21, 15-10). Frohoff tallied 14 kills, two blocks and five aces in the win while Becerra recorded 18 kills.
On court five against Texas A&M Corpus Christi, sophomore Ashton Mares and freshman Maddie Speicher defeated Demi McInnis and Tori Johnson (21-14, 21-14). In an exhibition match against UCA, the pair beat Annie Berry and Bria Garmon/Mary Galloway (21-12, 21-11). Mares totaled 20 kills, one block and two aces in the matches while Speicher added 19 kills, one block and three aces.
In an exhibition match against TAMUCC, junior Haley Gibson and freshman Savka Popovic won in three sets with 21-17, 18-21 and 15-12 scores. Gibson notched 17 kills, three blocks and one ace in the match while Popovic added nine kills and one block.
No. 20 Tulane 4, Central Arkansas 1
Court 1: Eva Torruella and Kendall Peters (TU) def. Alyson Brinkley and Colene Hamilton (UCA) 24-22, 21-14
Court 2: Tarin Mergener and Allie Olsonoski (TU) def. Evelyn Griffith and Faith Hasness (UCA) 21-11, 21-13
Court 3: Addison Hermstad and Samantha Mehlman (TU) def. Makenna Schmitt and Shannon Stone (UCA) 21-11, 21-13
Court 4: Julia Oravec and Kelsie Sager (UCA) def. Avery Arellano and Lara Torruella (TU) 21-18, 17-21, 16-14
Court 5: Rio Frohoff and Gabriella Becerra (TU) def. Payton Sproule and Kayla Cook (UCA) 21-14, 19-21, 15-10
Court 6 (Exh.): Ashton Mares and Maddie Speicher (TU) def. Annie Berry and Bria Garmon/Mary Galloway (UCA) 21-12, 21-11
No. 20 Tulane 5, Texas A&M Corpus Christi 0
Court 1: Eva Torruella and Kendall Peters (TU) def. Giuliana Poletti Corrales and Brooke Pertuit (TAMUCC) 21-17, 21-17
Court 2: Tarin Mergener and Allie Olsonoski (TU) def. Brooke Adkisson and Kylie Kvam (TAMUCC) 21-15, 21-11
Court 3: Addie Hermstad and Samantha Mehlman (TU) def. Taylor Horsfall and Emily Ramirez (TAMUCC) 21-18, 21-15
Court 4: Avery Arellano and Lara Torruella (TU) def. Mary Dodge and Migle Mazurkeviciute (TAMUCC) 22-20, 18-21, 15-9
Court 5: Ashton Mares and Maddie Speicher (TU) def. Demi McInnis and Tori Johnson (TAMUCC) 21-14, 21-14
Court 6 (Exh.): Haley Gibson and Savka Popovic (TU) def. Micaela Mirabal and Aurora Carnes (TAMUCC) 21-17, 18-21, 15-12
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