New volleyball coach brings experience, desire to win to team
Prentice Lewis, in her first season with the Volley Frogs, looks to use what she learned on a National Championship squad to help TCU into its first winning season.
By Danny Gillham
Sports Editor

TCU sports have won numerous conference championships.

Volleyball is not one of those teams.

Since its installation in 1996, the Volley Frogs have never had a winning season. The closest they have come was in 2000, when the team finished 15-18.

The program hopes to change that with its new head coach, Prentice Lewis.

Hired in February 2002, Lewis brings a lengthy resume, and a winning tradition to TCU volleyball. She was a member of the 1993 National Champion squad from Long Beach State University, where she led the Big West Conference in service aces.

Lewis has spent the past two seasons at the Florida, where last season the Gators advanced to their 11th consecutive Sweet 16.

She now looks for her history of success to rub off on the Frogs.

“I feel I bring a huge work ethic and tremendous ability to the program,” Lewis said. “My tremendous desire to win, and competitive drive can easily be seen. We have to have to have that desire, and the ability to carry that through will eventually come through.”

Her message is getting to the players.

“Her success in the past is a really big influence,” said freshman setter Jackie Choi. “Playing at Long Beach State, she knows good volleyball. It also helps that she puts what she knows in a way we can understand.”

Senior outside hitter Stephanie Watson was here with TCU’s first coach, Sandy Trout. She said Lewis is making the transition for success work by playing to the teams abilities.

“(Lewis) makes our style of play focus on our advantages and strengths,” Watson said. “Sandy did a good job of starting this program from nothing, but I feel Prentice has the ability to take our program to the next level.”

Lewis understands that success will not come quickly, but has a positive outlook for the future of the program.

“Our success won’t come immediately,” Lewis said. “There will be a lot of sacrifices, but we can get it done. Reality is that there is a lot of work to do. However, our eventual goals are to reach the Sweet 16 and Elite 8. I don’t settle for conference championships.”

At the same time, Lewis has set some goals for the team this year, and won’t let growing pains be an excuse.

“Consistency is a big issue,” Lewis said. “If we can get consistent than we will be very competitive. I would like to see us make in the top third of the Conference USA, and build from there.”

For the Volley Frogs, a vital element of building a successful program is recruiting. With the staff having coaching experience from coast to coast, this is an area where Lewis feels confident.

“Our staff is very well-rounded,” Lewis said. “With all the different places our staffed has coached, we know a lot about high schools and clubs in certain areas. So we have the ability to recruit well nationally. At the same time, we want to bring in all the top Texas talent as well. We have tough competition from surrounding schools, but if we recruit nationally, we feel the local recruits will see what we are doing and want to come here.”

Skiff Staff Matt Simpson contributed to this story.