HOUSTON – Despite taking the first set, Wichita State dropped each of the next three as the Tulane Green Wave rallied for a 18-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-21 victory on Friday afternoon in Houston.
 
The match was originally scheduled to be held in New Orleans, but was moved to Houston as a result of Hurricane Ida. 
 
The Shockers (6-4, 0-1) raced out to a win in set one, hitting .385 as a team thanks in large part to a team-high six kills from Kailin Newsome. Wichita State never trailed in the set, gaining separation with a 6-1 run in the middle stages that turned a 6-6 tie into a 12-7 lead.
 
Newsome ultimately led the Shockers with 18 kills in total, notching her fourth double-double with 12 digs.
 
The script was flipped in the second set as Tulane (8-5, 1-0) used a series of three and four-point spurts to break what was an 11-11 deadlock. The Green Wave ultimately extended the lead to 22-17 and traded points the rest of the way.
 
The third set proved to be pivotal, as Wichita State was unable to hold a 20-14 lead. Tulane claimed nine of the next 11 points to take a 23-22 advantage, adding a block and an Anna Davis kill to seize a two sets-to-one edge.
 
The Shockers and Green Wave traded points to 17-17 in the fourth set, but a 5-0 rally highlighted by two aces from Michelle Urquhart gave Tulane a lead they would not relinquish. Wichita State tried to rally late with three consecutive points, but Yvette Burcescu's kill put the match away.
 
Natalie Foster put together a season-best performance for Wichita State, racking up 16 kills on just 26 swings while pacing the Shockers with a solo block and two block assists.
 
Setter Kayce Litzau contributed another double-double, handing out 42 assists and chipping in a team-high 17 digs.
 
Wichita State continues play at the Fertitta Center in Houston on Sunday afternoon against the host Cougars. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT.