Tulane University
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Beach Volleyball Defeats Tampa, Falls to No. 13 FIU Saturday
Mar 27, 2021 | Women's Beach Volleyball
MIAMI — The Tulane beach volleyball team (12-10, 2-8 CCSA) went 1-1 on Saturday to close the FIU Surf 'N Turf, defeating Tampa (3-2) before falling to No. 13 FIU (2-3).
Senior Addison Hermstad and sophomore Samantha Mehlman found success in their first time on court two this season, helping Tulane to a win over Tampa after defeating Melissa Elias and Valerie Rosequist in straight sets, 21-12, 21-7. The pair also defeated Florida International's Shannon Gormally and Sophia Brandstetter in the second match of the day with 21-13 and 21-11 scores.
In their first time together on the court this season, freshmen Lara Torruella and Maddie Speicher defeated Tampa's Kiersten Anderson and Madison Brunick on court four, 22-20, 21-11.
From the No. 5 position, senior Gabriella Becerra and sophomore Ashton Mares earned a three-set victory over the Spartans, falling to Claire Overton and Payton Brunick in the first set, 16-21, before beating the pair in the next two with 21-18 and 15-10 scores.
Teaming up for the first time this season against FIU was Torruella and Mares on court four, who put together a three-set win over Rachele Mancinelli and Giada Bianchi (10-21, 21-15, 17-15).
In an exhibition match against Tampa's Maddie Hart and Gia Marinelli, senior Rio Frohoff and junior Haley Gibson earned a win in straight sets with identical 21-19 scores. Gibson and Becerra paired up in an exhibition match over FIU, defeating Paola Alvarado and Anna Davis in three sets (22-20, 17-21, 15-4).
The Olive and Blue are heading back on the road next weekend, traveling to Hattiesburg, Mississippi to compete in the Southern Miss Tournament. Tulane will face Spring Hill College at 12 p.m. and UAB at 4 p.m. on Friday before facing Louisiana Monroe at 12 p.m. and Southern Miss at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
Tulane 3, Tampa 2
Court 1: Julia Oswald/Rachel Rosequist (UT) def. Eva Torruella/Kendall Peters (TUL) 21-11, 21-16
Court 2: Samantha Mehlman/Addison Hermstad (TUL) def. Melissa Elias/Valerie Rosequist (UT) 21-12, 21-7
Court 3: Katie McKiel/Tatiana Gutierrez (UT) def. Allie Olsonoski/Tarin Mergener (TUL) 21-14, 19-21, 15-10
Court 4: Lara Torruella/Maddie Speicher (TUL) def. Kiersten Anderson/Madison Brunick (UT) 22-20, 21-11
Court 5: Gabriella Becerra/Ashton Mares (TUL) def. Claire Overton/Payton Brunick (UT) 16-21, 21-18, 15-10
Court 6 (Exh.): Rio Frohoff/Haley Gibson (TUL) def. Maddie Hart/Gia Marinelli (UT) 21-19, 21-19
No. 13 FIU 3, Tulane 2
Court 1: Federica Frasca/Roberta Ribeiro (FIU) def. Kendall Peters/Eva Torruella (TUL) 21-12, 21-15
Court 2: Samantha Mehlman/Addison Hermstad (TUL) def. Shannon Gormally/Sophia Brandstetter (FIU) 21-13, 21-11
Court 3: Lina Bernier/Gina Lipscomb (FIU) def. Allie Olsonoski/Maddie Speicher (TUL) 21-16, 21-16
Court 4: Abbie Hughes/Paige Kalkhoff (FIU) def. Tarin Mergener/Avery Arellano (TUL) 21-17, 15-21, 15-8
Court 5: Ashton Mares/Lara Torruella (TUL) def. Rachele Mancinelli/Giada Bianchi (FIU) 10-21, 21-15, 17-15
Court 6 (Exh.) Haley Gibson/Gabriella Becerra (TUL) def. Paola Alvarado/Anna Davis (FIU) 22-20, 17-21, 15-4
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