Wave Drops Conference Opener to Memphis
Sep 26, 2025 | Women's Volleyball
NEW ORLEANS โ Tulane volleyball (8-4, 0-1) suffered its first home loss of the season Friday night as it dropped its American Conference opener to Memphis (9-5, 1-0) 1-3 in Avron B. Fogelman Arena. The defeat marked the fourth consecutive season the Green Wave has started league play with a loss.
Following the defeat the Wave dropped to 8-4 on the season and 6-1 at home. Meanwhile, the Tigers improved to 9-5 on the year earning their first true road win of the season.
Avery Burks led the attack for Tulane as she finished with a match-high 20 kills to mark her fifth match this season with at least 20 kills. On the defensive side of the net, she also added 11 digs. Ava Derbes followed with 10 kills to notch her third consecutive match with double digits in kills and her fourth of the season.
The offense for the Wave was set up by Zoe Rachow who finished the match with 35 assists while also adding 13 digs, two service aces, and a pair of blocks.
The duo of Dayla Ortiz and Annabelle He anchored the defense for the Green Wave each tallying 17 digs in the match.
In the first set between Tulane and the Tigers the two teams went back and forth exchanging the lead four times along the way before the score pulled to a 19-19 tie. Memphis briefly climbed back in front by two, but the Wave was not deterred finishing the set on a 4-1 run to win 26-24.
Unfortunately, the Green Wave was unable to carry that momentum into the next set as the Tigers claimed the early advantage in the second set. Tulane managed to battle back eventually taking a 17-16 lead. However, the advantage was short lived as the Wave went on to drop another hard-fought set 24-26.
Tulane trailed for the majority of the third set until putting together a 10-5 scoring run to knot the score at 22-22. The final stretch of the set finished in favor of the Tigers as the Green Wave fell behind in the match 1-2 after dropping the third set 24-26.
The fourth set was a battle early between the Wave and the Tigers as Tulane held a 6-5 advantage. Unfortunately, that was the last lead Tulane would have in the set as the Green Wave went on to ultimately lose the set 20-25 and drop the match 1-3.
UP NEXT
Tulane will wrap up its homestand to open conference play by hosting Temple on Sunday at 1 p.m.
TICKETS
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.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL TULANE ATHLETICS APP
Download the official mobile app of Tulane Athletics. Now, you can stay in touch with the Green Wave anytime and anywhere on your Android or iOS mobile device.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For behind-the-scenes coverage, follow Tulane volleyball (@GreenWaveVB) 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 outย atย NolaBuilt.com.
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Following the defeat the Wave dropped to 8-4 on the season and 6-1 at home. Meanwhile, the Tigers improved to 9-5 on the year earning their first true road win of the season.
Avery Burks led the attack for Tulane as she finished with a match-high 20 kills to mark her fifth match this season with at least 20 kills. On the defensive side of the net, she also added 11 digs. Ava Derbes followed with 10 kills to notch her third consecutive match with double digits in kills and her fourth of the season.
The offense for the Wave was set up by Zoe Rachow who finished the match with 35 assists while also adding 13 digs, two service aces, and a pair of blocks.
The duo of Dayla Ortiz and Annabelle He anchored the defense for the Green Wave each tallying 17 digs in the match.
In the first set between Tulane and the Tigers the two teams went back and forth exchanging the lead four times along the way before the score pulled to a 19-19 tie. Memphis briefly climbed back in front by two, but the Wave was not deterred finishing the set on a 4-1 run to win 26-24.
Unfortunately, the Green Wave was unable to carry that momentum into the next set as the Tigers claimed the early advantage in the second set. Tulane managed to battle back eventually taking a 17-16 lead. However, the advantage was short lived as the Wave went on to drop another hard-fought set 24-26.
Tulane trailed for the majority of the third set until putting together a 10-5 scoring run to knot the score at 22-22. The final stretch of the set finished in favor of the Tigers as the Green Wave fell behind in the match 1-2 after dropping the third set 24-26.
The fourth set was a battle early between the Wave and the Tigers as Tulane held a 6-5 advantage. Unfortunately, that was the last lead Tulane would have in the set as the Green Wave went on to ultimately lose the set 20-25 and drop the match 1-3.
UP NEXT
Tulane will wrap up its homestand to open conference play by hosting Temple on Sunday at 1 p.m.
TICKETS
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.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL TULANE ATHLETICS APP
Download the official mobile app of Tulane Athletics. Now, you can stay in touch with the Green Wave anytime and anywhere on your Android or iOS mobile device.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For behind-the-scenes coverage, follow Tulane volleyball (@GreenWaveVB) 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 outย atย NolaBuilt.com.
ย
Team Stats
Mem
Tulane
Kills
60
49
Errors
23
22
Attempts
175
155
Hitting %
.211
.174
Points
75.0
61.0
Assists
52
43
Aces
6
6
Blocks
9
6
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Players Mentioned
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