Tulsa Improves Win Streak to Six Following 3-2 Comeback Against UIW

Saturday, September 13

San Marcos, Texas

11:00 a.m.

Tulsa

6-2,0-0American

Incarnate Word

3-5,0-0Southland

UIW

Tulsa

Photo by: Alina Lebedeva

Tulsa Improves Win Streak to Six Following 3-2 Comeback Against UIW

9/13/2025 2:10:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Season Stats (PDF)

SAN MARCOS, Texas. — The Tulsa volleyball team (6-2) came back from down 2-1 to beat Incarnate Word (3-5) in five sets Saturday to conclude the Texas State Invitational, finishing 25-14, 17-25, 21-25, 25-18, 15-10 to secure the Golden Hurricane's six consecutive victory.

Beth Bayless and Lauren Eitler were named to the Texas State Invitational All-Tournament team for their performance this week.

"That was a hard-fought battle, and I'm incredibly proud of how our team stayed patient and composed throughout the entire match," Head Coach Lauren Ramtowski "We faced a team that passed well and played with minimal errors, but we stuck to our game plan and kept executing in transition. The adjustments we made to our lineup were key, and I think that flexibility is what sets this team apart. Maegan Mills stepped up big-time coming in as a right-side hitter and gave us some crucial offense. Beth Bayless and Lauren Eitler were patient on the left side and found key kills when we needed them. This team is special because they are committed to each other and to this team and program winning."

The first set saw Tulsa capitalize on strong playmaking and errors by the Cardinals to secure a decisive 25-14 victory. The team overcame an early 2-0 deficit, sparked by Olivia Vance's kill, to embark on a 5-0 run with Brayden Hipp assisting on three consecutive kills. Brittany Bacorn's two service aces were pivotal during another scoring streak, pushing them to a 9-6 lead. The Cardinals struggled with attack errors, which Tulsa exploited, particularly with Jill Hanson and Lauren Eitler's effective blocking and kills. Hipp's playmaking stood out, providing multiple assists, including the final point, which came from another Eitler kill.

Tulsa started the second set with momentum, taking an early 5-2 lead, highlighted by a service ace from Bacorn. However, the Cardinals quickly responded, tying the game at 7-7 after a kill from Calissa Allison. The teams continued to exchange points until the Cardinals capitalized on consecutive Tulsa attack errors and a strong service performance by Ashton Rogers, including two aces, to take a commanding 19-14 lead. They maintained their advantage, closing out the set 25-17 with Alex Beauchamp's kill, as Tulsa struggled with errors late in the set.

In the third set, Tulsa initially pulled ahead with a 4-1 lead, highlighted by Beth Bayless and Kat Cooper contributing key kills. Hipp facilitated several plays, tallying multiple assists early in the set. The Cardinals responded with a series of continuous points, including a crucial kill from Kyla Malone, bringing the score to a tense 8-8 tie. Tulsa fought back with sharp plays from Eitler and Maegan Mills, yet the Cardinals consistently matched them point-for-point, driven by Allison's assists and Vanessa Eregie's kills. A decisive moment came at 21-19 for UIW, when Malone's service ace extended their lead. Despite Tulsa's efforts to close the gap, including a late kill from Eitler, the Cardinals capitalized on Tulsa's attack errors to secure the set with a 25-21 victory.

Tulsa secured a decisive fourth set win, 25-18, highlighted by a strong comeback and strategic play. The Cardinals initially gained momentum with a 5-2 lead, driven by Eregie's kills, but Tulsa responded with a series of kills from Eitler and Bayless, leveling the score at 13-13 with Eitler's back-to-back service aces. A critical series of plays followed as Bayless and Mills delivered crucial points, propelling Tulsa to a 21-17 lead. Bacorn's service ace and Bayless's consistent kills closed the set, overcoming the Cardinals' late attempts to resist Tulsa's surge.

In the decisive fifth set, Tulsa secured a 15-10 victory, highlighted by a strong start with a 6-1 run, including three consecutive kills by Mills assisted by Bacorn. The Cardinals responded with a brief surge, closing the gap to 7-4 after a service ace by Kade Thomas, but Tulsa maintained control. Bacorn was instrumental, contributing multiple assists, including a key setup for a Kat Cooper kill, extending the lead to 8-4. Despite the Cardinals' efforts, with Malone and Thomas producing essential kills, Tulsa's consistent performance, punctuated by a Jill Hanson kill from Hipp, sealed the set and match.

The Golden Hurricane will return to the Donald W. Reynolds Center for the first time next weekend when they host New Mexico State, Oral Roberts and Little Rock in the Tulsa Volleyball Invitational from September 19-20.

Tulsa's Top Performers
Beth Bayless
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- 18 kills with a .317 hitting percentage
- 19 points
- six digs

Lauren Eitler
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- 15 kills with a .261 hitting percentage
- 19 digs
- 18 points

Brayden Hipp
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- 45 assists
- 14 digs
- perfect hitting percentage: 1.0 on 3 attempts

Jill Hanson
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- 13 kills with a .409 hitting percentage
- 15.5 points
- five block assists (5 total blocks)

UIW's Top Performers
Kyla Malone
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- 12 kills
- 19 digs
- 13.5 points

Calissa Allison
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- 31 assists
- 14 digs

Vanessa Eregie
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- 6 blocks
- 9.5 points

Kade Thomas
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- 10 kills
- 1 service ace
- 12 points

Game Notes
- Tulsa has now won six consecutive matches. They will enter their home tournament and non-conference finale next weekend with a 6-2 record.
- Three players finished with double-figure kills, including Beth Bayless (18), Lauren Eitler (15), and Jill Hanson (13).
- Four team members recorded 10 or more digs, including Lauren Patterson (28), Eitler (19), Hipp (14), and Quinn Swofford (11).
- Hipp earned her 24th career double-double and second of the season with 45 assists and 14 digs.
- Hipp also tied her career-high in assists with 45.
- Eitler's 15-kill, 19-dig performance marked her fourth double-double of the season and 12th of her career.
- Lauren Patterson averaged 5.6 digs for a career-high 28 digs on the day.
- Hanson had her best game yet with 13 kills and five blocks.
- Megan Mills broke out with seven kills and two blocks.
- 12 of Tulsa's 15 points in the fifth set came from kills.

2025 SEASON TICKETS
Starting at just $50, season ticket members will receive one membership card per ticket ordered that will be good for all 2025 Tulsa volleyball regular season home matches in the Donald W. Reynolds Center. Season tickets are not valid for any postseason games. No refunds for canceled games due to weather-related or any other cause. CLICK HERE to start the process of ordering tickets or call 918-631-4688.

Ball Kid Signups
The Tulsa Volleyball team is looking for ball kids for the 2025 season. Ball kids and one accompanying parent or guardian will receive free admission for games they sign up for. Ball kids will retrieve balls that go out of bounds on the sidelines for the entire game and provide a fresh ball for servers. Only ages 10-12 are allowed to participate. Individual and group signups will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign up by clicking HERE.

Visit www.TulsaHurricane.com for the latest news and information on the volleyball program. Fans can also follow the team on X, Facebook and Instagram.