Tulane Splits on Day One of Chanticleer Challenge

Friday, March 6

Conway, SC

7:00 AM CT

Tulane University

Florida Atlantic University

Katie Hansen Action Green Wave Invitational 2026

Photo by: Wyatt Streett

Tulane Splits on Day One of Chanticleer Challenge

Mar 6, 2026 | Women's Beach Volleyball

By: Wyatt Streett

CONWAY, S.C. – Tulane closed the first day of the Chanticleer Challenge on a high note, sweeping Georgia State 5-0 to cap off a split performance at the Coastal Carolina Beach Volleyball Complex Friday. The Green Wave fell 3-2 in the morning to No. 15 Florida Atlantic, but with the bounce-back victory in the afternoon Tulane moved to 6-5 on the campaign.

The day opened with a rematch of last season's Conference USA championship dual with the 15^th-ranked Owls claiming the win again, this time in a tight 3-2 affair. Tulane fell in the first three matches of the dual at the fourth, second, and fifth flights for Florida Atlantic to secure the win. However, Tulane fought back and kept the final score close, first claiming a sweep at flight three by the hands of Amirah Ali and Tawny Ensign, who made her season debut today. Ali and Ensign posted markers of 21-12 and 21-11. The top flight capped off the dual with Emma Morris and Katie Hansen earning a three-set triumph for the Wave. They won the first set 21-10 before falling in a nailbiter, 28-26, in set two. The third set went the Wave's way 15-10 to pull the match to 3-2.

In the afternoon, Tulane faced off against Georgia State in a bout between two programs receiving votes in the AVCA coaches poll. The Wave prevailed handedly, claiming a 5-0 sweep while dropping just two sets. Molly Trodd and Skylar Ensign kicked off the dual with a bang, posting a 21-16, 21-6 triumph at flight two. The fourth flight of McKenzie Cutler and Sam O'Connor went three sets, as the Tulane tandem won set one 21-13 before falling 21-12 in the second frame. However, they bounced back to win 15-13 in set three. The top flight of Morris and Hansen tallied a sweep, 21-18 and 21-17, to clinch the dual for the Wave. At flight No. 5, Avery Burks and Gigi Gallegos found themselves locked in a three-set thriller, as they won the first frame 21-15 before dropping the second 21-18. In the third, they recovered for a 15-11 win. Wrapping up the contest was the third flight of Ali and Tawny Ensign, who swept with a score of 21-17 in both sets.

Tulane will look to carry the momentum into tomorrow with two more duals on the docket. The day opens with a big test as the Green Wave squares off against No. 4 Cal Poly at 7:00 a.m. CT. Tulane remains on the sand to face the host Chanticleers immediately following at 11:00 a.m. CT.

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