Frogs extend winning streak
By Mary Hollis
Skiff Staff

The volleyball team broke in its new home at the University Recreation Center in dominating fashion at the Adidas Invitational Friday and Saturday.

The Frogs, who have an overall record of 9-1, defeated both Texas-Pan American and Arkansas-Pine Bluff in consecutive three-game sweeps, then worked their way past Arkansas State 3-1. The tournament wins put TCU on a nine-match winning streak and give the Frogs their second straight tournament title.

“We played well,” junior opposite Ellen Rehme said. “It was a big win, our first home game, and it was very exciting to win in our home gym and to get all the fans out there.”

Rehme received the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Senior setter Tori Barlow and junior outside hitter Dominika Szabo received All-Tournament team honors. Rehme lead the Frogs with 43 kills in eight games during the tournament.

Szabo said this was a great weekend for the Frogs, and the team showed what it was truly made of.

“I loved the tournament this weekend first because we were successful and second because it was our first time in our own facility, with our own gym and our own crowd,” Szabo said.

Rehme said the last match of the tournament against Arkansas State was the best battle of the weekend.

“Last year we beat them at their place,” she said. “They wanted to get back; we knew it would be tough.”

The Frogs were down in the third game, but head coach Prentice Lewis said their comeback showed the heart of the team.

“We had never been down on a team like Saturday night, and it was a huge rally where the girls showed their character and came back to win,” Lewis said.

Szabo said the third game against Arkansas State was the toughest of the tournament. She said after the team adjusted, it was huge for them to comeback from such a large deficit and showed the team’s determination to win.

Lewis said overall it was a great tournament with great competition and for their first time hosting a tournament, it went well.

“The fans were awesome,” Lewis said. “A great group showed up Friday and Saturday night, and we definitely had a home court advantage.”

The Frogs hope to continue their winning streak this weekend when they will play Northeastern, Toledo and Pittsburgh.

Mary Hollis