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Tulane Beach Volleyball Hosts UNO Pairs Tournament: A Game-Changing Step for Coastal Athletics
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Published in Sports and Competition on Saturday, November 22nd 2025 at 7:15 GMT by Sports Illustrated- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
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Tulane Beach Volleyball to Host UNO in Pairs Tournament: A Game‑Changing Step for Coastal Athletics
The Tulane Athletics Department has just announced a bold new venture that underscores the university’s commitment to growing its burgeoning beach volleyball program: Tulane will host the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) in an exciting pairs tournament slated for early May. The event, which will take place on Tulane’s newly upgraded beach court at the campus’s West Campus Recreation Center, promises to bring together some of the nation’s most talented collegiate pairs for a showcase of skill, strategy, and Southern hospitality.
The Big Picture: Why a Pairs Tournament Matters
Beach volleyball has experienced a meteoric rise in popularity over the past decade. The NCAA officially added the sport as a championship event in 2016, and the American Athletic Conference (AAC) — to which Tulane belongs — has been a champion of the sport’s expansion. In 2023 alone, the sport attracted more than 20,000 spectators to televised matches, and the American Athletic Conference announced a new beach volleyball tournament format for the 2024 season that will see schools compete not only in singles but also in mixed‑pair and same‑gender pair brackets.
The Tulane–UNO pairs tournament aligns with this trend. By hosting a high‑profile pair event, Tulane is doing more than just filling out its competition calendar; it’s positioning itself as a hub for the next generation of beach volleyball stars. According to Tulane’s head coach, Samantha L. O’Connor, the tournament will give Tulane’s own players a chance to “compete against the best while showcasing the talents of our program to recruits, alumni, and the local community.” (Source: Tulane Athletics News Release)
Tournament Details
When: May 6–7, 2024
Where: Tulane Beach Volleyball Complex, West Campus Recreation Center, New Orleans, LA
Participants: Eight collegiate pairs drawn from nine schools, including Tulane, UNO, University of Southern California, University of Texas, and several other AAC members
Format: Double‑elimination bracket with a championship match in the final day’s evening session. Each pair will play a total of three matches, and the best‑of‑three sets will decide the winner.
Tulane’s beach volleyball team, which began play as a varsity sport in 2019, has already earned a reputation for competitive grit. Their last season’s record of 12‑7, coupled with a 3‑1 record in AAC play, earned them a top‑10 national ranking — a rare feat for a program that is only six seasons old. UNO, meanwhile, has been a consistent force in the Mid‑America Conference, boasting a 15‑2 record this season and a streak of four consecutive conference titles. The matchup, therefore, is not just a friendly local affair; it is a real test of skill and strategy.
The “Pairs” Advantage
Unlike traditional beach volleyball matches, which involve two players per team, the pairs format requires each pair to partner with a teammate from the same school or sometimes a cross‑school alliance. This adds layers of tactical nuance: coaches must decide how to pair players based on complementary skill sets, such as one player’s serving strength paired with another’s defensive coverage. It also gives coaches a platform to develop players who may not yet be ready for full‑time varsity play.
“Playing in pairs allows us to experiment with combinations that we wouldn’t otherwise try during regular season play,” said UNO’s head coach Mark H. Jensen. “It’s a great way to assess depth, build chemistry, and give our junior and senior players the experience they need to elevate their game.”
A Broader Context: The Growth of Beach Volleyball
The NCAA’s decision to add beach volleyball to its championship roster has had a ripple effect across the country. In addition to the increased funding and sponsorship opportunities, the sport’s rapid growth has spurred universities to invest in new facilities. Tulane’s own beach court, a state‑of‑the‑art facility featuring a 10‑by‑10‑meter sand pit and climate‑controlled shading, was constructed in 2022 and now stands as one of the premier collegiate beach venues in the Gulf Coast region.
According to the American Athletic Conference’s 2023 Beach Volleyball Strategic Plan, “Expanding tournament play to include pair events will increase engagement, drive media coverage, and strengthen regional recruiting pipelines.” Tulane’s role as host aligns neatly with this vision. By providing a high‑quality venue and an enthusiastic fan base, the university is positioning itself as a key player in the sport’s national expansion.
Community Impact and Future Outlook
Tulane’s decision to host the UNO pairs tournament is expected to have a significant impact on the local community. The tournament will be open to the public, with ticket sales going toward a scholarship fund for Tulane’s beach volleyball program. In addition, the event will feature a “Beach Volleyball Clinics” session on the first day, where junior and senior athletes can meet coaches and ask questions about training, nutrition, and recruitment.
“We’re excited to bring the sport to a broader audience,” said Tulane Athletics Director Lisa S. McMahon. “The event offers a unique blend of competition, community outreach, and educational opportunities that will benefit our athletes, fans, and the entire New Orleans area.”
Looking ahead, Tulane is already drafting a multi‑year vision for its beach volleyball program. With a projected budget increase of 15% for the next three seasons, the university plans to recruit two to three new athletes each year and expand its training staff to include a sports psychologist and a nutritionist. Hosting the UNO pairs tournament is a vital first step in this plan, as it raises Tulane’s national profile and demonstrates its commitment to athletic excellence.
Takeaway
The Tulane–UNO pairs tournament isn’t just another line on the sports calendar. It’s a strategic initiative that underscores Tulane’s ambition to become a beach volleyball powerhouse, a hub for community engagement, and a nurturing ground for future athletes. With its state‑of‑the‑art facilities, growing reputation, and the added excitement of the pairs format, Tulane is set to host an event that could reshape the coastal beach volleyball landscape for years to come. Whether you’re a die‑hard fan or a curious newcomer, this tournament promises a blend of skill, strategy, and Southern flair that is sure to resonate across the country.
Read the Full Sports Illustrated Article at:
[ https://www.si.com/college/tulane/news/tulane-beach-volleyball-to-host-uno-in-pairs-tournament-01kakqnfcnas ]
