After earning a win against Iowa State in September, the TCU volleyball team could not find the same energy it had before, and the Frogs were defeated by the Cyclones 3-2 (26-28, 25-16, 25-15, 24-26, 15-8) Saturday night at the Hilton Coliseum.
The Horned Frogs (15-13, 5-8 Big 12) notched a team total of a season-high 76 digs during the match. Even though many players had career-high days, TCU could not overcome in the fifth set. The Frogs were initially in the lead, but after trading points, the Cyclones were able to make three straight put downs, giving Iowa State a 9-5 advantage. TCU fell 15-8 in the final set.
Leading the team with 15 kills and three service aces, Regan McGuire had a career-high day. Ashley Smith also had a career-high day with 19 digs and earned her 10th double-double of the season after striking down 10 kills. Blaire Pickens made 11 kills in the match.
With 20 assists and a career-high of 17 digs, Alexia Heist made her sixth double-double of the season. Two players, Sarita Mikals, who made 12 digs, and Sutton Sunstrum, who made 11 digs, recorded double-digit digs. For the 12th time this season, TCU made double-digit blocks. Mikals and Mattie Burleson led the way, both with five blocks.
With TCU up in the opening set of the match, Stephanie Holland, Burleson, McGuire and Pickens picked up kills to a 6-2 lead.
The Cyclones were able to get their first lead after the Frogs struggled offensively, making six straight hitting errors. TCU was able to catch up and regain the lead after Iowa State made two straight errors.
As both teams were battling for points, McGuire snuck in a kill and connected with Mikals for a block to earn a win, 28-26, for the first set.
Iowa State took control of the second set and was able to take a 10-0 lead. The Frogs tried making a comeback but were not able to catch back up. The Cyclones took the set 25-16.
The Cyclones took a 2-1 lead in the match after taking the third set 25-15. Iowa State started off in the lead until Pickens made two kills to even out the score to 6-6. Iowa State was able to recover and steal away the lead.
Both teams started off trading points in the fourth set until Natalie Gower made a kill, which put TCU in the lead 12-10. At one point the Cyclones were able to even out the set, but the Frogs were able to regain the lead. Iowa State was able to reduce the gap until making a hitting error. Smith and Mikals helped the Frogs recover and win 26-24.
Iowa State started the set out in the lead, but McGuire and Mikals were able to put the Frogs ahead, 2-1, after making kills. The teams traded points until the Cyclones made three straight put downs, giving Iowa State a 9-5 advantage. TCU could not regain the lead and dropped in the last set, 15-8.
The Horned Frogs will face Texas Tech on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at their home court.
