Tulane Goes 0-2 on Opening Day

Friday, August 29

Huntsville, TX

1 p.m.

Tulane University

0-1,0-0American

McNeese State University

1-0,0-0Southland

Tulane

McNeese

Aug 29, 2025 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Tulane volleyball did not get the start it was looking for to open the 2025 season as the Green Wave dropped both matches on the opening day of the Bearkat Invitational hosted by Sam Houston. The Wave went the distance in both matches but ultimately lost 3-2 to McNeese State and Southern Illinois.

The duo of Avery Burks and Lauryn Mack was the highlight of the first day of the season for the Green Wave. The pair combined for 78 kills across the two matches with Burks tallying 40 and Mack accounting for 38.

McNeese State 3, Tulane 2
In its first match of the season Tulane squared off against another team from the Bayou State in the McNeese State Cowgirls. The matchup was the 30th all-time meeting between the two programs.

Despite close battles in the first two sets the Wave got off to a slow start falling behind 2-0 against McNeese. However, Tulane did not back down from the challenge answering with a 25-22 win in the third set and a 25-18 win in the fourth to force a decisive fifth set.

Unfortunately, the Green Wave could not maintain the momentum in the final set as the Cowgirls took control early. Tulane ultimately went on to drop the set 15-11 to lose the match 3-2.

Mack made an immediate impact on the court in her first collegiate match with the Wave collecting 19 kills to go with nine digs. Burks followed closely behind as she notched 17 kills and 17 digs.

Katherine Crosley led the way for the Wave setting up her teammates with 27 assists while also adding a pair of kills. Defensively, Dayla Ortiz paced the team with 21 digs.

Southern Illinois 3, Tulane 2
In the second match of the day Tulane went the distance again this time against Southern Illinois. Looking for a bounce back effort the Green Wave fought to avoid another slow start on Friday.

After dropping the first set 25-23, the Wave responded with a highly-contested 27-25 victory in the second set to even the score. Tulane kept its momentum rolling into the third set to take a 2-1 advantage over the Salukis by winning the set 25-16.

The Green Wave was unable to put Southern Illinois away in the fourth set falling 25-16 to move on to another fifth set.

Southern Illinois took the initial lead in the final set, but Tulane answered with a 7-1 run to take an 8-5 advantage. The Salukis did not go away easily, however, as the set eventually pulled to a 13-13 tie. The Green Wave could not seal the deal as Southern Illinois earned the final two points to win the set 15-13 and the match 3-2.

Once again Burks and Mack led the offensive attack for Tulane combining for 42 of the team's 63 kills in the match. Burks paced the Wave with her first 20-plus kill effort of the season ending with 23. Mack matched her output from the first match of the day as she tallied another 19 kills.

Crosley and Zoe Rachow combined to record 53 assists in the match as Crosley posted 27 and Rachow followed with 26. The pair also anchored the defense for Tulane with Crosley tallying 15 digs and Rachow adding 12.

UP NEXT
The Green Wave will face the host team of the Bearkat Invitation, Sam Houston, at 12 p.m. on Saturday. Live stats for the match between Tulane and the Bearkats can be found HERE.

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Tickets 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.

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