Tulane University
Pairs Tournament
Beach Volleyball Claims Six Podium Spots in Pairs Tournament
Oct 20, 2024 | Women's Beach Volleyball
NEW ORLEANS – Tulane Beach Volleyball concluded Day 2 of its first fall pairs tournament with three first-place wins, one second place, and one third place. The team finished the weekend 40-6 in matches played.Â
The Green Wave's impressive first outing promises a dynamic and exciting season.Â
"Our first fall tournament showed a ton of promise and we are excited to keep exploring this years roster possibilities. We have seen good sparks and the team enjoyed working hard for each other across the board," Head Coach Eyal Zimet said. "Many growth moments individually and for our new partnerships. A ton to be proud of, lots to work on, and plenty to look forward to! Roll Wave!!"
The tournament had three pools (Pink, Aqua, and Blue), each with its own Gold championship brackets. The tournament consisted of pool play on Saturday, followed by championship brackets on Sunday. The Green Wave won 26 out of 27 pool play matches and 14 out of 19 championship bracket matches.
BLUE POOL
Tulane went undefeated in Blue pool play, winning nine qualifying matches before winning all four of their Gold bracket matches.Â
Four teams won their championship qualifying bracket play:Â Bella Griffin & Amelia Mullen, Tara Gaspar & Kara Griffin-Ruwin, Skylar Ensign & Lily Tucker, and Gaspar & Lauren Mann. These wins secured both spots in the Gold/Silver match for Tulane, resulting in an automatic Green Wave sweep of the top two Gold bracket awards.
AQUA POOL
Mann & Mullen won gold for Tulane in the Aqua bracket against the University of Southern Mississippi. Griffin-Ruwin & Sara Hall also medaled, claiming third against Southeastern Louisiana University.Â
Wins from McKenzie Cutler & Samantha Green, Skyler Ensign & Mullen, and Cutler & Alexandra Hennessey qualified Tulane to play for the final two podium matches in the Gold Bracket.Â
Tulane won eight out of nine Aqua pool matches followed by five out of seven Gold Bracket matches.Â
PINK POOL
After winning all nine Pink pool play matches on Saturday, the Green Wave moved on to the Gold Bracket on Sunday. There, Madison Hall & Molly Trodd secured second place while Emily Heintzelman & Cutler claimed third behind first place Stephen F. Austin University.Â
They were propelled to the podium matches thanks to wins from Griffin-Ruwin & Sara Hall, Samantha Green & Madison Hall, and Gigi Gallegos & Madison Hall in bracket play.Â
SATURDAY HIGHLIGHTS
Freshman Gigi Gallegos had the most kills in a match for the Green Wave during pool play with 19 against the University of Southern Mississippi. Griffin-Ruwin had 16 against USM, while Heintzelman and Teona Treskounov had 15 against USM.
Amelia Mullen had the most aces of the Wave in a single match on Saturday, landing six against USM and totaling 11 for the day. Skylar Ensign also landed 10 aces during the day while Griffin had five against the University of New Orleans.
Sara Hall had the most blocks for a match with six against McNeese University and was closely followed by Madison Hall's four against McNeese.Â
Griffin-Ruwin had 12 digs against USM for most match digs, while Trodd had 11 against Spring Hill College.Â
NEXT UP
The Green Wave will return on November 2 and 3 for the AVCA Fall Collegiate Beach Championships in Huntsville, Ala.Â
TICKETS
Tickets for the upcoming football, volleyball, men's and women's basketball seasons can be purchased by calling 504-861-WAVE (9283), logging on to TulaneTix.com or visiting the ticket office at the James W. Wilson Jr. Center.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow Tulane Beach Volleyball on Twitter and Facebook and Instagram. Follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
WE ARE NOLA BUILT
Tulane University is located in the city of New Orleans. It is a city built on tradition and resiliency. The lessons Green Wave student-athletes have learned through their connection with this university and city have BUILT doctors, lawyers, business leaders, conference champions, all-conference players, All-Americans, professional athletes and NCAA tournament teams. The city of New Orleans has shaped us into who we are today. We are One City. We are Tulane. We are NOLA BUILT. Check out our story at NolaBuilt.com.
