The New Orleans Privateers women’s beach volleyball team faced a demanding schedule at the Green Wave Invitational held at White Sands, challenging both nationally ranked Tulane and Oregon, which narrowly missed inclusion in the Preseason AVCA poll.
The event began Friday with a match against South Florida. Ellie and Cassie Sieling secured the first point of the season for New Orleans by winning their match 21-19, 21-11 at flight one. In flight two, Brooke Dow and Ashley Salazar nearly added another win but were edged out as South Florida came back to take the match 19-21, 21-13, 16-14.
During Friday’s evening matchup with Spring Hill, New Orleans recorded victories in their top two flights. The Sieling twins posted a 21-17, 21-11 result, while Dow and Salazar overcame extra rallies for a 25-23, 21-12 win. Despite these efforts, Spring Hill claimed the remaining matches—including a three-set contest at flight five—to secure the overall dual.
On Saturday against Oregon, New Orleans jumped to a 2-1 lead. Lindsey Neal contributed a crucial block at flight five alongside Mona Salgado for a 21-18, 21-18 victory. Salazar and Dow overcame a late rally from Oregon to win their third set 15-12 at flight two. However, Oregon captured the final two matches in straight sets to clinch the dual.
The host team Tulane concluded the weekend by defeating New Orleans in all five matches without dropping a set.
Looking ahead, New Orleans is scheduled to play four matches next weekend at the Cowgirl Beach Bash in Lake Charles.
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