Tulane Beach Volleyball Joins C-USA to Begin 2022-23 Campaign

NEW ORLEANS – Tulane University Beach Volleyball has joined Conference USA as an affiliate member ahead of the 2023 season, the league announced on Friday. The C-USA Board of Directors unanimously affirmed the recommendation to extend the invitation for affiliate membership to the Green Wave.

"Adding a program of Tulane's caliber to our already competitive beach volleyball portfolio further positions Conference USA for continued success," Conference USA Deputy Commissioner Keisha Dunlap said. "We are very excited about this partnership and are really looking forward to working with Tulane's leadership group as we progress and advance."

The addition of Tulane increases current league membership to five schools for the 2022-23 season, as the Green Wave joins FIU, Florida Atlantic, UAB, and UTEP as members of Conference USA. C-USA was one of eight inaugural leagues to earn automatic qualification to the 2022 NCAA Beach Volleyball Championships and will retain its automatic qualifier status for the upcoming year.

"We are excited for the move to C-USA, which gives us an excellent opportunity to compete with teams slated to join The American conference within the next couple of years," Tulane head beach volleyball coach Eyal Zimet said. "The level of competition will be amongst the top in the nation and will also award the eligible conference winner with an AQ to the NCAA Championship, which is our ultimate goal on the sand! We are eager for this season to get started and continue building on our student-athlete's success. Roll Wave!"

Tulane posted a 24-13 overall record in the 2022 spring season, including an impressive 10-1 mark in home matches. The Green Wave collected a pair of victories over teams that finished in the top 20 of the final AVCA Collegiate Beach Volleyball Poll. To open the 2022 campaign, Tulane defeated Georgia State, which finished ranked No. 7 in the nation, 3-2. The Wave also earned its second ranked victory in the Coastal Collegiate Sports Association tournament 3-2 over South Carolina, which landed at No. 19 in the final poll.

"Today was very important step for our Beach Volleyball program," said Tulane Deputy Athletic Director, Student Services/SWA Dr. Charvi Greer. "We are extremely grateful for our time in the CCSA and look forward to competing for conference championships in the new league."

Heading into the 2022-23 campaign, the Green Wave returns 13 players from last year's squad. Among those are senior Kendall Peters and junior Maddie Speicher, who each earned CCSA All-Tournament Team selections after Tulane finished 2-2 in the tournament.

"Tulane is thrilled to join Conference USA as an affiliate member," Deputy Athletic Director, External Operations Jana Woodson. "Our beach volleyball program is ready to make an immediate and positive impact for the conference on the court, in the classroom and in our community."

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Tulane Beach Volleyball Joins C-USA to Begin 2022-23 Campaign

Players Mentioned

Kendall Peters

Maddie Speicher

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