TCU (4-2) took the fight to Cincinnati (4-1) Saturday night but dropped the match 3-2 (25-23, 21-25, 17-25, 25-17, 16-14). It was their second straight loss at this weekend’s tournament, hosted by Colorado State in Fort Collins, Colorado.
After dropping a close back and forth first set, the Horned Frogs rallied back to take the next two sets from the Bearcats. Cincinnati fought their way back into the match with a 10-2 run to win the fourth set and even the match 2-2.
The final set produced seven lead changes and had the score tied nine different times. TCU took advantage of a Cincinnati error and a Tori Dilfer ace to have match point at 14-13.
However the Horned Frogs couldn’t close out the match due to three late errors that gave the Bearcats the set and match victory.
Despite the loss, several Horned Frogs put up career-high numbers. First-year Élan McMcall continues to perform at a high level and put up career highs in kills, 28, and blocks ,7. McCall finished the night with a .306 hitting percentage and eight digs.
Dilfer recorded her third double-double of the year with 45 assists and 11 digs in addition to her 6 service aces, a career-high. Senior Anna Walsh put up her fifth double-digit game in kills with 11 and had a season-high 6 blocks.
Defensively, three Horned Frogs notched double-digits in digs with senior Lexi MacLean leading the charge with 17. Sophomore Dani Dennison, 14, and Dilfer ,11, finished right behind her.
It was a block party for the team Saturday night, as they recorded 15.5 blocks, the first time this season that they managed to total double-digit in blocks. McCall (7.0), sophomore Sarah Swanson (8.0) and freshman Katie Clark (3.0) all finished with career highs in blocks.
TCU will try bouncing back from two straight losses when they close out the weekend against host Colorado State on Sunday at 2:30 pm.