The Green Wave continues to have a season full of ups and downs in volleyball. Tulane opened their last four games with a strong 3-2 win over the East Carolina Pirates. The Green Wave came out strong, winning the first two sets. However, they could not finish ECU off and allowed them to win the next two sets to tie the match going into the last set. 

Although ECU was coming off two-straight set wins, the Green Wave was able to hunker down and finish the job. They  won the last set by two points. Mackenzie Martin led the way with 15 kills, although Melissa Kolurbasi was not far behind with 14. Kolurbasi also led the team in blocks with four. Amarachi Osuji dominated as a server and recorded seven aces along with 13 kills. Osuji’s seven aces tied her for third-most aces in a single game.

After a strong 3-2 win against ECU, the Green Wave was unfortunately unable to capitalize on their momentum, and they fell to the Temple Owls in five sets. The Green Wave came out strong to lead Temple 2-1; however, Temple would not go down without a fight. Each of the first three sets was decided by three points, but it seems the Green Wave could not keep up with the Owls — they lost the fourth set by six and the fifth set by five. Although the team did not win, it was not due to a lack of effort. Kolurbasi led the Green Wave in both kills with 16 and blocks with four, while Kayla Kaiser led the way with three aces. 

On Wednesday, Nov. 2, the team traveled to Houston to take on the 22-2 Cougars. The Cougars continue to roll in conference play and have not lost a conference game all season. Despite Tulane’s best efforts, their unbeaten streak continued. Ceren Aki led the way with eight kills and three blocks, while Kayla Kaiser led with two aces. 

After dropping three-straight sets to Houston, Tulane tried to bounce back on Sunday, Nov. 6, at Cincinnati. After dropping the first set 25-12, the Green Wave successfully tied things up with a 25-20 victory. That victory ended up not being enough to swing momentum in the Green Wave’s favor as they lost the next two sets by four and seven points respectively. Martin led the way with 14 kills, while Osuji led the way with an ace. Osuji and Kaiser tied for the team lead in blocks, with three.

This season has not been ideal for Tulane, especially over these last two weeks. After going up 2-1 against Temple, the Green Wave dropped eight of their next nine sets, including six in a row. During this nine-set span, the Green Wave has lost by two or less only once, which came in the second set at Houston. The average margin of defeat for each set was 5.66 points. Although the team has not experienced significant success, the Green Wave just hired head coach Jordana Price, and it will take time for everyone to be on the same page.