Green Wave’s C-USA Championship Run Ends Against FIU

Friday, April 28

Fort Lauderdale, FL

9:30 A.M.

Tulane University

(5) UTEP

Green Wave’s C-USA Championship Run Ends Against FIU

Apr 28, 2023 | Women's Beach Volleyball

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Tulane University Beach Volleyball's journey in the Conference USA 2023 Beach Volleyball Championship came to an end with another 1-1 performance on Friday. The Green Wave swept the five seed UTEP 5-0 in its first elimination dual of the day but dropped its next elimination dual 3-0 to the top overall seed Florida International.

Facing elimination for the first time in the tournament Tulane came ready to play as it rolled past the UTEP Miners. For the second day in a row Abby Jackson and Ashton Mares put the Wave in front early taking the point at flight four in straight sets. At flight five, Lara Torruella and Savka Popovic made it 2-0 Tulane with a two-set victory before Samantha Mehlman and Emily Heintzelman clinched the dual winning in straight sets at flight three. After outlasting the Miners in the first set at flight two, Sara Hall and Maddie Speicher added another point for the Wave by winning their second set. Mollie Ebertin and Kendall Peters completed the 5-0 sweep over UTEP with a three-set victory at flight one.

Following a lightning delay the Green Wave's second elimination dual was played to decision against the top seed in the tournament FIU. The Panthers took the first set on all five courts, but Tulane continued to fight forcing a third set at flights one and four. Unfortunately, the Wave was unable to battle back on the remaining courts to force decisive third sets as FIU clinched the dual with wins at flights two, five, and three in that order.

Tulane finishes with a 24-10 overall record on the season ahead of the selection process for the NCAA Tournament. The 24 victories match a program record set in the 2022 and 2017 seasons.

Friday Results – April 28
(3) Tulane 5, (5) UTEP 0
1. Mollie Ebertin/Kendall Peters (Tulane) def. Sara Pustahija/Krista Paegle (UTEP) 21-13, 21-23, 15-13
2. Sara Hall/Maddie Speicher (Tulane) def. Ema Uskokovic/Kaitlin Marting (UTEP) 26-24, 21-16
3. Emily Heintzelman/Samantha Mehlman (Tulane) def. Savannah Marenco/Paulina Acuna (UTEP) 21-14, 21-15
4. Abby Jackson/Ashton Mares (Tulane) def. Serena Patterson/Madison Hill (UTEP) 21-7, 21-12
5. Lara Torruella/Savka Popovic (Tulane) def. Marian Ovalle/Mia Ruiz (UTEP) 21-14, 21-12

(1) FIU 3, (3) Tulane 0
1. Mollie Ebertin/Kendall Peters (Tulane) vs. Lucie Pokorna/Mili Vukobrat (FIU) 16-21, 22-20, unf.
2. Rocky Mancinelli/Robie Ribeiro (FIU) def. Sara Hall/Maddie Speicher (Tulane) 21-16, 21-12
3. Giada Bianchi/Lisa Luini (FIU) def. Emily Heintzelman/Samantha Mehlman (Tulane) 21-15, 22-20
4. Abby Jackson/Ashton Mares (Tulane) vs. Zuza Bielak/Ale Pratesi (FIU) 16-21, 21-18, unf.
5. Emily Meyer/Kendra Brown (FIU) def. Lara Torruella/Savka Popovic (Tulane) 21-16, 21-18

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