Tulane Beach Sweeps Final Day Of Badger Beach Bash

Scattered showers dampened day two of the Badger Beach Bash, but the No. 17 Green Wave (8-1, 1-1 CCSA) didn’t let the drizzle slow their momentum as Tulane’s beach volleyball team completed three match sweeps to close out the stay in Alabama. With wins over Houston Baptist, Jacksonville State and host Spring Hill, the Green Wave went 4-1 on the weekend and move to 8-1 on the year for the first time in program history. On the season, Tulane has now completed seven dual sweeps out of its eight wins.

QUOTE

“Overall, this was a productive weekend that blended some successful results with opportunities to identify areas where we can improve our pairings. I’m proud of the players for their mental approach to the rough weather conditions throughout the weekend.”

—Tulane Head Coach Wayne Holly

TULANE 5, HOUSTON BAPTIST 0

The Green Wave opened up day two in Gulf Shores in sweeping fashion, rolling over Houston Baptist on a score of 5-0 for Tulane’s second victory of the weekend.

Christina McAfee and Annie Shurtz started Tulane off with a 2-0 victory on court five, while Sarah Strasner and Hannah Holmes played to three sets to give Tulane the two-match lead. The Green Wave sealed the dual on scores of 21-12 and 21-9 from Briana Correa and Tarin Mergener on court three.

In the final two flights, No. 2 pair Tea Juric and Kaylie McHugh held Huskies to scores of 21-7 and 21-13, while Madeline Mertz and Lan Nguyen, playing at No. 1 for the seventh time this year, played to three sets but finished ahead of Houston Baptist in two to take the dual 5-0.

TULANE 5, JACKSONVILLE STATE 0

The season’s second meeting between Tulane and Jacksonville State played similar to the first, with the Green Wave playing ahead for the entirety of the dual to take their second sweep of the afternoon.

Tulane picked up match sweeps on each court, with No. 2 pair Juric and McHugh holding their opposition under ten points in each set. The closest set of the dual was played on court three, with Correa and Mergener holding off the Gamecocks 21-17 in their second meeting to complete their own 2-0 sweep and seal the Tulane win.

The Green Wave are now 2-0 against Jacksonville State on the season and will meet the Gamecocks again at the Palmetto Invitational in April.

TULANE 5, SPRING HILL 0

The Green Wave closed out the weekend on a high note, completing their third match sweep of the afternoon in a 5-0 decision over host Spring Hill. In similar fashion to the previous two duals of the day, the match was won on court three after No. 5 pair Annie Shurtz and Anna Chin and No. 4 duo of Sarah Strasner and Hannah Holmes defeated the Badgers in straight sets.

On court three, Correa and Mergener sealed the victory with scores of 21-11 and 21-13 over Spring Hill. Tulane would also come away with convincing match wins in the final two flights, with No. 2 Juric/McHugh finishing 21-13, 21-11 and the Green Wave’s top pair of Mertz/Nguyen sealing the final sweep, 21-10, 21-14.

Tulane also came away with wins in two of the three exhibition matches played on the day, with both victories over Jacksonville State and Spring Hill coming in straight sets.

UP NEXT

The Green Wave hit the road next weekend but remain in the state of Louisiana, heading west to LSU for the 2017 Tiger Beach Challenge. In Baton Rouge, four out of five opponents will be conference match-ups, while three will be national seeds.

Fans can keep up with the latest in Tulane beach volleyball action by following the team on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

TULANE 5, HOUSTON BAPTIST 0

1. Madeline Mertz/Lan Nguyen (Tulane) def. Aeriel Horton/Jessica Wooten (HBU) 21-18, 24-26, 15-7
2. Tea Juric/Kaylie McHugh (Tulane) def. Kayla Armer/Victoria Hinojosa (HBU) 21-7, 21-13
3. Briana Correra/Tarin Mergner (Tulane) def. Bailey Banks/Melissa Fuchs (HBU) 21-12, 21-9
4. Hannah Holmes/Sarah Strasner (Tulane) def. Taylor Livoti/Danielle Wheeler (HBU) 15-21, 21-12, 15-9
5. Christina McAfee/Annie Shurtz (Tulane) def. Morgan McDaniels/Tiffany Thomas (HBU) 21-10, 21-15
6. Ext. Madison O’Brien/Hannah Lewis (HBU) def. Anna Chin/Lindsey Huber (Tulane) 19-21, 25-23, 15-10

TULANE 5, JACKSONVILLE STATE 0

1. Madeline Mertz/Lan Nguyen (Tulane) def. Jae-Lyn Visscher/Katie Will (JSU) 21-12, 21-15
2. Tea Juric/Kaylie McHugh (Tulane) def. Hannah Kirk/ Charis Ludtke (JSU) 21-9, 21-8
3. Briana Correa/Tarin Mergener (Tulane) def. Sadie Anderson/Maddie Cloutier (JSU) 21-12, 21-17
4. Hannah Holmes/Sarah Strasner (Tulane) def. Hailey Hughes/Rachel Perucki (JSU) 21-12, 21-6
5. Annie Shurtz/Anna Chin (Tulane) def. Jenn Hart/Shayla Schmidt (JSU) 21-15, 21-13
6. Ext. Lindsay Huber/Christina McAfee (Tulane) def. Mackenzie Rombach/Kim Krutsinger (JSU) 21-12, 21-15

TULANE 5, SPRING HILL 0

1. Madeline Mertz/Lan Nguyen (Tulane) def. Julie Vujnovich/Madie Seuzeneau (SHC) 21-10, 21-14
2. Tea Juric/Kaylie McHugh (Tulane) def. Molly Griffin/Savannah Becnel (SHC) 21-13, 21-11
3. Briana Correa/Tarin Mergener (Tulane) def. Brittany Billoti/Sarah Senft (SHC) 21-11, 21-13
4. Sarah Strasner/Hannah Holmes (Tulane) def. Caroline Herrera/Hannah Masoner (SHC) 21-19, 21-11
5. Annie Shurtz/Anna Chin (Tulane) def. Payton Gidney/Emily Greim (SHC) 21-8, 21-16
6. Ext. Lindsey Huber/Christina McAfee (Tulane) def. KB Gammon/Patty Blood (SHC) 21-10, 21-13

News courtesy of Tulane Athletics.