Tuesday, October 2, 2001

Volley Frogs drop two games
Team returns home, looks to build confidence, momentum
By Quinten Boyd
Skiff Staff

After a three game road trip in which the TCU volleyball team visited Missouri, Kentucky and Ohio, the Horned Frogs will finally face a foe a little closer to home when they play Metroplex-rival Southern Methodist 7 p.m. tonight in Dallas.

“We consider this game a home game, since we are returning to the (Dallas-Fort Worth) area after the long trips,” head coach Sandy Troudt said.

SMU currently has a record of 5-6 and is 1-1 in the Western Athletic Conference. In its last game, they were victorious over Boise State, 3-0. The Mustangs and the Volley Frogs have met 11 times since 1996, with SMU holding an 8-3 edge over the Frogs.

The Mustangs won last year’s meeting, 3-1.

Over the weekend, the Volley Frogs dropped two hard-fought conference games against Louisville and Cincinnati.

“I think that we played our best volleyball of the season over the weekend,” Troudt said. “Both teams are tough, especially with us playing on the road, but we can only get better playing teams as good as Louisville and Cincinnati.”

The Volley Frogs lost to No. 25 Louisville Friday 3-0, falling 30-26, 30-23 and 30-17 in three matches. Freshman outside hitter Dominika Szabo led the team in digs with eight and sophomore setter Tori Barlow dished out a team-high 15 assists. Senior outside hitter Marci King and senior middle blocker Allison Lynch each scored eight kills.

The Volley Frogs could not get back on track on Saturday, losing to Cincinnati, 3-1.

After dropping the first game, TCU rallied by winning the second before losing the match 35-33, 33-35, 30-28, and 30-10.

King, Lynch, and Barlow all turned in double-doubles for the night, as King had 16 kills and 10 digs, Lynch had 12 kills and 14 digs, and Barlow had 29 assists and 10 digs.

Szabo and junior outside hitter Jennifer Cuca just missed double-doubles as Szabo turned in an 11 kill, 9 dig performance and Cuca had a 16 kill, 9 dig game.

“Against Cincinnati, the game was point for point the whole time and no one could gain a definite edge,” Troudt said. “However, it seemed like we were all emotionally drained after the third game. We got behind at the beginning of the fourth game, and then Cincinnati buried us.”

After tonight’s game, the Volley Frogs will start a seven-game home stand, beginning Friday against Memphis.

The team will also play host to conference foes Saint Louis, Houston, Charlotte, and East Carolina, along with games against Southwest Texas State and Sam Houston State.

Troudt said the Volley Frogs are looking to build momentum during the home stand.
“We’re really looking forward to the upcoming home schedule,” Troudt said. “These upcoming games are important and the team is really looking forward to them. It’s hard to win on the road and it’s just as tough to win at home. A good showing over the next few games will help us get back on track.”

Quinten Boyd
q.m.boyd@student.tcu.edu