Tulane University
5-8,3-3AAC
SMU
6-4,2-4AAC
Volleyball Falls to SMU in Four Sets Friday, Splits Series with Mustangs
Mar 5, 2021 | Women's Volleyball
DALLAS โ The Tulane volleyball team (5-8, 3-3 AAC) dropped a four-set match (21-25, 27-29, 25-18, 17-25) to SMU (6-4, 2-4 AAC) on Friday in the Moody Coliseum, splitting the weekend series with the Mustangs after earning a win on Thursday.
"We were up in sets oneย and two and let SMU back in the game," head coach Jim Barnes said. "We had a real chance at a sweep. We have shown great improvement through all the changes. Getting this crucial split keeps us in the race for the conference tournament. Using this experience to get prepared for Wichita State next weekendย is important."
Senior outside hitter Lexie Douglas continued on with her dominating offensive performance, recording 22 kills in consecutive matches to once again tie her career-high. Junior middle hitter Kayla Dinkins totaled 11 kills in the match, also adding six blocks to lead the Green Wave at the net.ย
Earning 47 assists in four sets of action was junior setter Taylor Henigsman, who alsoย addedย five kills and seven digs. Freshman libero Sophia Ervanian led the way defensively, notching 15 digs.
The first set was a battle from the start, with both teams taking back-and-forth points until Tulane jumped out to a three-point lead at 16-13 with consecutive kills from Douglas and sophomore outside hitter Lizzy Stefanov. The Green Wave stayed ahead until the Mustangs came back to tie it up at 19-19, with SMU ultimately staying ahead to finish it out, 25-21,ย and take a 1-0 match lead.
Tulane came out firing to start the second set, taking a dominating 8-0 lead with three kills and three blocks early. The Green Wave held their lead until a 4-0 Mustangs run tied the set at 22-22, with the teams alternating points until SMU came away with theย 29-27 win and a 2-0 match advantage.ย
The Green Wave jumped out to a 5-1 lead early in the third set, ultimately holding their advantage to finish it out at 25-18 and force a fourth set. The Mustangs came within two with an 11-9 score before a 6-1 Olive and Blue run put the team up by seven at 17-10. A kill from freshman middle hitter Anna Davis put Tulane at set point before a block from Davis and Henigsman made it a 2-1 game.
The fourth and final set was similar to the first in that both teams were fighting for the lead from the beginning. SMU took a three-point advantage after being tied 10-10 and followed it up with an 8-1 run to make it a 21-13 game. A kill from Henigsman and a block from Dinkins held the Mustangs at set and match point before an SMU kill ended the match at 25-17 in favor of the home team.
The Green Wave bring AAC action back home next weekend, welcoming Wichita State to the Avron B. Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse on Friday at 6 p.m. and on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Follow Tulane volleyball on social media at @GreenWaveVBย onย Twitter,ย Instagramย andย Facebook. Follow Tulane Athletics onย Twitter,ย Facebook,ย Instagram.
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