Tulane Splits a Pair to Open Blazer Beach Bash

Friday, April 10

Birmingham, AL

10:00 AM

Tulane University

Houston Christian University

Gigi Gallegos Action Dive Longhorn Showdown 2026

Photo by: Kelsey McHugh

Tulane Splits a Pair to Open Blazer Beach Bash

Apr 10, 2026 | Women's Beach Volleyball

By: Wyatt Streett

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Green Wave went 1-1 Friday at the Blazer Beach Courts to kick off the opening day of the Blazer Beach Bash. Tulane picked up a 5-0 sweep of Houston Christian in the morning before dropping a tight 3-2 contest to UAB in the evening.

The Wave opened the morning strong with a clean sweep of Houston Christian, not dropping a single set in the 5-0 triumph. Molly Trodd and Skylar Ensign were the first pair to finish, securing a 21-17, 21-19 sweep at the second flight. The No. 4 pairing of Gigi Gallegos and Giorgia Walther wrapped up their two-set victory shortly thereafter with sets of 21-11 and 21-19. The top flight of Emma Morris and Katie Hansen secured a tight 21-19 set one win before a demolition 21-8 victory in the second frame to clinch the dual for the Wave. At flight three, Amirah Ali and Tawny Ensign secured a lopsided sweep with wins of 21-13 and 21-15. The most competitive flight was No. 5, where McKenzie Cutler and Sam O'Connor earned a hard-fought sweep. Both sets needed extra points, as the Tulane tandem won the first 23-21 before notching a marathon 24-22 win in the second, sealing the clean 5-0 win.

The first day of the tournament concluded with a Conference USA clash between Tulane and the tournament host UAB. The Wave started off strong with a sweep at the No. 2 pair as Morris and Hansen won 21-13 and 21-14 to put Tulane ahead early. However, UAB pulled level with a three-set victory at the fourth flight. Avery Burks and Gallegos won the first set 21-15, but the Blazers pushed back to win the second 21-12 and the third 15-8. The top flight opened with a big first set win for Trodd and S. Ensign, 21-11. UAB then edged out the second frame 21-18, and the third set was again tight with the Blazers taking a 15-13 win to pull in front 2-1 in the dual. At the fifth flight, UAB secured the win with a 21-16 and 21-17 triumph. Ali and T. Ensign fought hard, however, and pulled through with a thrilling three-set victory at flight three to end the dual on a high note for the Wave. The Tulane tandem dropped the opening set 21-15 but rallied to win the second 21-15. The third set was a see-saw affair that Ali and Ensign claimed 18-16 to make the final margin of the dual 3-2.

Tulane will have two more duals tomorrow to wrap up the Blazer Beach Bash. Action begins at 10:00 a.m. with a match-up against Mercer, and the Wave will finish up with a contest against Louisiana Monroe at 2:00 p.m. Tulane returns home next weekend for the final event of the regular season when the Wave hosts the NOLA Classic at White Sands Volleyball Courts.

Tulane 5, Houston Christian 0
1 – Emma Morris/Katie Hansen (TULN) def. Paige Palmer/Grace Malnick (HCU) 21-19, 21-8
2 – Molly Trodd/Skylar Ensign (TULN) def. Olivia Zeigler/Hannah Foor (HCU) 21-17, 21-19
3 – Amirah Ali/Tawny Ensign (TULN) def. Alexa Landmark/Lauren Vickery (HCU) 21-13, 21-15
4 – Gigi Gallegos/Giorgia Walther (TULN) def. Mycah Whittemore/Emma Chappell (HCU) 21-11, 21-19
5 – McKenzie Cutler/Sam O'Connor (TULN) def. Clau Verdejo Lozano/Dariya Tlevlessova (HCU) 23-21, 24-22

Tulane 2, UAB 3
1 – Olivia Stant/Jasmine Haas (UAB) def. Molly Trodd/Skylar Ensign (TULN) 11-21, 21-18, 15-13
2 – Emma Morris/Katie Hansen (TULN) def. Pien Grooters/Virginia Voitier (UAB) 21-13, 21-14
3 – Amirah Ali/Tawny Ensign (TULN) def. Ava Knott/Olivia Chychrun (UAB) 15-21, 21-15, 18-16
4 – Isabel Day/Claudia Stockard (UAB) def. Avery Burks/Gigi Gallegos (TULN) 15-21, 21-12, 15-8
5 – Sadie Sharpe/Ashley Torsone (UAB) def. McKenzie Cutler/Sam O'Connor (TULN) 21-16, 21-17

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