Tulane Beach Volleyball Pair Finishes as Runners-Up at ACVA Collegiate Beach Central Qualification Tournament

The Tulane Green Wave continued its strong fall slate of beach volleyball action at the AVCA Collegiate Beach Central Qualification Division, going 33-5 over the course of the weekend.

“Grateful for another beautiful weekend of fall competition in the new CUSA championship location in Huntsville, Alabama,” said assistant coach Cassidi Stabile. “It was wonderful getting to see new tools being used, new partnerships being explored and courageous choices being made. We are returning to campus better than we left, and that is our goal."

Tawny Ensign and Hannah Foor finished as the runners-up in the bid division, going 4-1 over the course of the weekend. The duo earned a big win over the Eastern Kentucky Colonels on Sunday, sweeping the competition 22-20 and 21-17. From there, the team took on the UAB Blazers in the championship match, ultimately falling short of clinching the title. 

Sunday saw two other pairs from the Green Wave compete in the fifth-place consolation bracket. Skyler Ensign and Gigi Gallegos swept the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, and Katie Hansen and Kaydence Stormes claimed a three-set victory over a second UAB pair. The wins helped Tulane secure fifth and sixth place in the overall standings. 

Outside of the bid division, the Olive Green and Sky Blue was well represented across five different pools. Ciela Hendrickson and Olivia Johnson swept the UT Martin Skyhawks, then Hendrickson and Naomi Lygas formed an all-freshman team to take down teh Chattanooga Mocs. 

Meanwhile, Hendrickson joined Loreta Cabule in a second pool to pick up a sweep over another Southern Miss team. Cabule then joined up with Johnson to pick up a two-set win over the Austin Peay Governors.

Lygas and Elly Beshears picked up dominant wins over one Southern Miss pair in a third pool, claiming 21-8 and 21-9 wins. Beshears and Gabbi Kucinski then teamed up to take down a North Alabama Lions duo. 

A fourth pool featured Lauren Mann and Liz Selinger, who took down the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles. Johnson and Storms joined the pool for the next set to take down another Eastern Kentucky pair. In the fifth and final pool of the day, Gabby Dwyer and Kucinski fell to a third EKU duo. 

Now, Tulane will turn its attention to the upcoming AVCA Pairs National Championship, happening from November 6th through November 8th. The Green Wave is sending two pairs to the championship, which will be held in Huntsville at the John Hunt Sand Volleyball Courts.