Tulane’s Historic Season Closes Against UCLA

Friday, May 1

Gulf Shores, AL

3:00 PM

Tulane University

UCLA

Sam O'Connor & McKenzie Cutler Hug NCAA Tournament 2026

Photo by: Wyatt Streett

Tulane’s Historic Season Closes Against UCLA

May 1, 2026 | Women's Beach Volleyball

By: Wyatt Streett

GULF SHORES, Ala. – The 2026 season will forever be remembered in Tulane lore as the Green Wave made history, winning the Conference USA championship for the first time ever to make the program's first-ever appearance in the National Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championship. Tulane, ranked No. 20 and seeded No. 14, faced off against UCLA, No. 3 in both regards, Friday afternoon at Gulf Place. The Bruins secured the 3-0 win, but it was not without a hard fight put forth by the Wave. The campaign finishes with Tulane at 26-14, the sixth-straight 20-win season for the team.

The Bruins claimed the first point of the contest at the fifth flight, where the UCLA pair bested Lauren Mann and Avery Burks in straight sets, 21-12 and 21-13. The Bruins earned their next point at the top flight, as Molly Trodd and Skylar Ensign dropped a 21-16, 21-14 match. Emma Morris and Katie Hansen fell 21-10 in the first set at No. 2. They pushed back in the second frame, but UCLA held on to claim a 21-16 win that sealed the dual for the Bruins. Though their match was left unfinished, McKenzie Cutler and Sam O'Connor made some history for Tulane, claiming their first set 26-24 in a marathon. It's the first set victory in the NC Beach Volleyball Championship in program history., The tandem were leading 12-9 in the second when the dual ended. At flight three, Amirah Ali and Tawny Ensign dropped a tight first frame 22-20 and were down 16-11 in the second when the contest came to a close.

Despite the loss, the campaign will forever live in Green Wave history with the CUSA title and NC Beach Volleyball Championship appearance. Head coach Eyal Zimet was named earlier today CUSA Coach of the Year as Trodd, S. Ensign, Hansen, and Morris all secured First-Team All-CUSA honors. Ali was tabbed to the All-CUSA Second Team.

Tulane will look to build on this momentum next season. The Wave will return to the sand later this year for the fall 2026 slate of competition before embarking on a conference title defense in the spring 2027 season.

Tulane 0, UCLA 3
1 – Maggie Boyd / Sally Perez (UCLA) def. Molly Trodd / Skylar Ensign (TULN) 21-16, 21-14
2 – Ensley Alden / Kaley Matthews (UCLA) def. Emma Morris / Katie Hansen (TULN) 21-10, 21-16
3 – Amirah Ali / Tawny Ensign (TULN) vs. Harper Cooper / Alexa Fernandez (UCLA) 20-22, 11-16 (unfinished)
4 – McKenzie Cutler / Sam O'Connor (TULN) vs. Ava Williamson / Jesse Dueck (UCLA) 26-24, 12-9 (unfinished)
5 – Kenzie Brower / Mallory LaBreche (UCLA) def. Lauren Mann / Avery Burks (TULN) 21-12, 21-13

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