Tulane Pairs Conclude Play at AVCA Pairs National Championships

Friday, November 6

Huntsville, AL

Tulane University

AVCA Pairs National Championship

Skylar Ensign and Katie Hansen Action Pairs Championship 2026

Photo by: Huntsville Sports Commission

Nov 8, 2026 | Women's Beach Volleyball

By: Wyatt Streett

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Skylar Ensign and Katie Hansen made program history at the John Hunt Sand Volleyball Courts Sunday, winning their opening match-up this morning to secure a tie for 21^st in the standings at the AVCA Beach National Championship. This result is tied for the best by a pair in program history at the event. Kaydence Stormes and Tawny Ensign tied for 27^th, as both Green Wave pairs placed in the top half of the tournament standings.

The best-ever result by a Green Wave pair in the history of the event is a tie for 21^st by Kendall Peters and Mollie Ebertin in 2022. With Skylar Ensign and Katie Hansen tying for 21^st in this year's event, they have matched that program-record finish. Ensign was one half of Tulane's top-finishing pair last season, as she and Molly Trodd tied for 25^th, so this marks back-to-back seasons with Ensign placing in the top 25. This is only the fourth time Tulane has sent two pairs to the AVCA Beach National Championship, and this is the first time that they each have placed inside the top 30.

Hansen and Ensign were 3-2 on the weekend with those three wins matching the program's record for most victories during this tournament. With three victories in last season's event, Skylar Ensign now boasts six career triumphs in the AVCA Beach National Championship, which matches Emily Heintzelman's program record. Kaydence Stormes and Tawny Ensign were 2-4 on the weekend, but they were 2-3 in matches that counted toward the overall standings as one of their contests was a free play tilt.

Each pair played just once today. Hansen and Ensign faced off against a pair from Boise State in the 21^st-place bracket, defeating the Broncos in straight sets with scores of 21-19 and 21-15. Stormes and Ensign battled a pair from Cal Poly in the 25^th-place bracket, falling in two sets by margins of 21-13 and 21-15.

The entire Green Wave squad will be in action on Friday, November 20, as the fall comes to a close with one final event. Tulane hosts the Tulane Pairs Tournament at White Sands Volleyball Courts in Elmwood, Louisiana to close the fall portion of the season. From there, the program will get a winter break before setting sights on the 2027 spring slate and a defense of Tulane's 2026 Conference USA championship.

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