In two tough losses to Texas and Kansas last week, head TCU volleyball coach Prentice Lewis said the Horned Frogs "just weren't ready."
"We actually didn't play very well. In sets versus Texas and Kansas, we just weren't ready to play," Lewis said Tuesday. "A lot of that had to do with changing the lineup, a lot of that had to do with that we just weren't ready."
Against the Jayhawks on Saturday, TCU senior middle blocker Yvonne Igodan recorded a team-high 10 kills, while junior right-side hitter Stephanie Holland and sophomore outside hitter Macy Capen finished with seven kills each.
Freshman libero Shane Peters added 15 digs and sophomore setter Alexia Heist delivered 21 assists.
Preseason All-Big 12 Igodan leads the team with 153 kills this season. She has led TCU in kills the last three matches.
Leaders Ashley Smith, a freshman outside hitter, and Holland were sidelined with injuries during the loss to Texas and saw limited time against Kansas. Now that the two are back in the starting lineup, Lewis said the Frogs "will be a completely different team" against West Virginia (14-1, 1-0 Big 12) on Wednesday.
Lewis said the team's fans will make a difference when the Horned Frogs (11-5, 0-2 Big 12) look for their first Big 12 win.
"Our environment, I think, is one of the best in the Big 12. It's very close to the court, it's very loud," Lewis said. "That's the environment you want to have."
Overall, TCU holds a 3-0 advantage in the series with WVU since 2009. The Frogs topped the Mountaineers last season in conference play, as TCU won in a five-set thriller in Morgantown and swept WVU in Fort Worth.
West Virginia comes to Fort Worth with just one loss on the season, which came to Duquesne on Sept. 17. WVU is one of 15 teams nationally with one loss or fewer on the season. The Mountaineers beat Big 12 opponent Kansas State 3-1 Friday, winning their first conference game in program history.
Sophomore outside hitter Hannah Sackett recorded a team-high 15 kills against Kansas State, while sophomore Nikki Attea added 12. Sophomore setter Brittany Sample finished with 42 assists. Sophomore libero Anna Panagiotakopoulos recorded 19 digs.
To beat West Virginia, Lewis said the Frogs need to play as an "all-around good volleyball team."
"We're just going to have to play sound volleyball. Yes, they are a good team, so we're going to have to come ready, but if we play sound volleyball we will be just fine," she said.
Fans are encouraged to wear pink to support breast cancer awareness, as the match is scheduled as the annual the Frogs for the Cure match. Those wearing the Frogs for the Cure t-shirt will get a discounted ticket.
First serve is set for 6:30 p.m. in the University Recreation Center. The match will be televised live on FSSW+.