First international player fits right in with Frogs
Szabo looks to professional career in future
By Mary Jollis
Skiff Staff

Dominika Szabo, known as “Domi” to her teammates, is TCU’s first international volleyball player.

She came to TCU from Eger, Hungary in 2001 with two intentions: to play volleyball on a competitive team and to eventually play professionally.

Three years later, one of her two original intentions has been met. Now, she must wait to see if her experience at a competitive program will result in a professional volleyball career.

“I didn’t know if I wanted to come to the U.S. before I heard about TCU, but after hearing about the school and its volleyball program, I knew it was where I wanted to be,” Szabo said.

Szabo is a junior outside hitter for TCU and says she loves being a Frog.

“I love TCU mainly because of the school spirit,” she said. “My favorite color is purple, and when I was in kindergarten in Hungary, we got to pick our own mascot, and I chose a frog. It was meant to be.”

Senior defensive specialist Jessica Fleming said Szabo is the kind of player who does everything she can to help the team and is a constant asset to the team.

“Being from another county, she brings in a totally different game with her experience and is constantly working at getting better,” Fleming said. “She is a model for her technique.”

Before volleyball, Szabo put much of her time and effort into track and field, taking after her mother.

However, track was not a popular sport in her town and after watching her first volleyball match at the age of 12, she fell in love with it and went home to tell her mother that she wanted to play.

While playing for the Hungarian Junior National Team in Budapest, Szabo read an article in a newspaper, written by Hungarian born TCU assistant coach Barbara Kovacs, who was looking for an international student to play outside hitter.

“After I wrote her a letter about how I was interested, we started talking on the phone and getting to know one another and becoming friends,” Szabo said.

After two years, Szabo completed the steps required for her college acceptance and was offered a scholarship to come and join the Frogs.

“I wanted to know another language and have the experience that was offered to me,” she said. “An amazing part of the (TCU) program is how much they care about athleticism and sports.”

Head coach Prentice Lewis said Szabo’s athleticism is a trait that makes her unique and an important member of the team.

“Physically, Dominika is a role model to others; she is not very outspoken and loud,” Lewis said. “She leads the team by example.”

Sophomore middle blocker Hayley Harmon said Szabo is a great role model on and off the court.

“She is at the top of all the skills,” Harmon said. “She is what someone would want to work hard to become. I look up to her.”

Szabo said she plans to move back to Europe and play professional volleyball for a few years after college, possibly in Spain.

“I can’t just quit because I have played for so many years, and it has been such a big part of my life,” she said.