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TCU 360

TCU 360

All TCU. All the time.

TCU 360

A TCU student reaches for a Celsius from a vending machine- a refreshing boost amidst a hectic day of lectures and exams. (Kelsey Finley/Staff Writer)
The caffeine buzz is a college student's drug
By Kelsey Finley, Staff Writer
Published Apr 18, 2024
College students seem to have a reliance on caffeine to get them through lectures and late night study sessions, but there are healthier alternatives to power through the day.

Volleyball earns second conference win

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TCU volleyball’s freshman middle blocker Natalie Gower is on fire.

After setting season and career high records against Texas Tech on Saturday, she continued her dominant performance in the Horned Frogs’ win over Baylor on Wednesday.

TCU (13-7, 2-4 Big 12) swept the Bears (25-23, 25-21, 25-21) on the road, earning its first win in Waco in program history and first win over Baylor (9-12, 1-4 Big 12) as members of the Big 12 Conference.

Gower recorded a team-high 10 kills in the match, a career-high four service aces and five blocks in the win.

TCU started the first set quickly with a service ace from sophomore setter Alexia Heist. The Frogs forced Baylor into a timeout trailing 10-6. TCU didn’t let up, though, as Gower contributed two of her five blocks and freshman outside hitter Ashley Smith provided strong offense.

Baylor pulled the first set to within one at 19-18, but strong offense by freshman outside hitter Ashley Smith gave the Frogs a set point at 24-22, and the Frogs finished out the set 25-22.

In the second set, the Frogs once again took a quick advantage over Baylor with a 7-1 lead. Gower led the effort with three kills and two service aces in the run.

Baylor responded with a run, but the Frogs continued to extend their lead, reaching 19-15. Baylor pulled the match within two, but kills from Smith and sophomore right-side hitter Blaire Pickens pushed TCU to a 25-21 second set victory.

The third set went point-for-point until a media timeout with TCU leading 15-12. A TCU kill from junior middle blocker Mattie Burleson ignited a 4-0 run, and the Frogs never looked back, sweeping the Bears with a 25-21 third set win.

Smith added nine kills on the night, while freshman libero Shane Peters finished with 13 digs. Heist chipped in 18 assists, followed by redshirt freshman Trisha Langley’s 14 assists.

For Baylor, senior outside hitter Zoe Adom led the team with 15 kills. Sophomore libero Mackenzie Mayo added 11 digs and sophomore setter Amy Rosenbaum chipped in 38 assists in the match.

TCU will enjoy a weekend off and will return Oct. 23 as Oklahoma visits the University Recreation Center for a 6:30 p.m. match. The meeting will be televised live on FSSW+ in the DFW market, FS Oklahoma+ and FCS Central nationally. 

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