With six remaining conference matches in the season, the volleyball team preserved its .500 Mountain West Conference record after one of its best performances of the year, said head coach Prentice Lewis.The weekend home contests with the Colorado State Rams and the Air Force Falcons left the Horned Frogs with a split in the standings.
Friday night featured a hard-luck loss to the Rams after the team dropped a one-game lead en route to a 3-1 loss in the match.
“When we were in rhythm, we played very well,” Lewis said, “We need to play consistent, and we didn’t do that.”
The team was led by the offense of senior middle blocker Anna Vaughn and junior outside hitter LeMeita Smith. Middle blocker Kourtney Edwards chimed in with four blocks.
The second match of the weekend showed TCU starting out on top and surrendering a lead only once during a 3-0 displacement of Air Force. The Frogs outscored the Falcons 90-42 during the match.
“We played very well,” Lewis said. “This was one of our more solid matches of the year from start to finish.”
The offensive output Saturday was fueled by sophomore outside hitter Devon Kirk and Smith. Kirk was making her second start of the season and she tallied eight kills while making some key defensive contributions with five digs.
“I came back from an injury in the spring and it feels good to have earned my spot back,” Kirk said.
The outcome of the matches has TCU knotted with UNLV for fourth place in the Mountain West standings.
“You always have to come ready to play,” Vaughn said. “Anyone can beat you on any given night.”
TCU’s defensive prowess shone through during Saturday’s performance, and it is preparing for a two-game road trip out west to play the UNLV Rebels and the San Diego State Aztecs, Lewis said.
“Our games against UNLV and San Diego State will be where the test is,” Lewis said. “They are home, and in our conference people, play very well on their home courts.”
The Rebels carry a .769 home-winning percentage into Friday’s match, while the Aztecs have not lost at home since Sept. 23.
