TCU volleyball, (14-4, 3-2) swept San Diego State (6-11, 0-5) to get back to their winning ways.After losing back-to-back conference matches to UNLV at home and Colorado State on the road, the Frogs beat the Aztecs three games to zero.
“We played well,” Prentice Lewis, head coach, said. “That’s the first match in the last couple that we’ve come out firing.”
The Frogs did just that in the first game taking an early eight to two lead. TCU scored six points in a row off serves by sophomore setter Nirelle Hampton, four of which were aces, to expand the lead to 22 to 11.
“I was just trying to be aggressive and stay focused,” Hampton said about her impressive stretch.
After that the Frogs did not let the Aztecs get within nine points of them, as they took the first game 30-19.
The second game had a different feel to it as the Aztecs started of with three quick points. The Frogs came right back with three points of their own to tie the game at three. That started the back-and-forth tempo the second game was played.
There were a total of 12 tie scores in the second game. When the Frogs scored the Aztecs answered and vice versa. The score went from being tied at three to being tied at 18, when TCU finally took over and won the game 30 to 22.
While the second game went back and forth, there was only one thing on Lewis’ mind.
“Just keep battling,” Lewis said.
Even though they were up two games to none, the game was not over yet as Lewis told the team during their break.
“They got to come out with heart and energy,” Lewis said about what she told her players.
The team needed all the heart and energy they could muster for the tumultuous third game.
The Aztecs jumped out to an early seven to one lead, but the Frogs battled back and tied the game at 10. The game suddenly went back to the back and forth tempo of the second game.
There were a total of 15 tied scores and five lead changes in that third game.
With the score tied at 27, junior defensive specialist, Loren Barry, made an amazing diving dig that led to a TCU point and give them the lead 28-27.
After that, the Aztecs got back-to-back points to take a 29-28 lead, and get their first game point. The Frogs would not back down as the game continued to go back and forth until the Frogs won 38-36.
“That third game was so exciting,” Hampton said. “We didn’t play our best starting off and kind of dug ourselves in a hole, but after (that) we really fought hard.”
TCU volleyball will be on the road next weekend when they face 16th ranked BYU and 18th ranked Utah.
“They are the two best in our conference,” Lewis said. “In this conference every single night you have to come out ready to play.