TCU volleyball began conference play this season the same way they ended it last season: by dominating the Oklahoma Sooners. The Horned Frogs swept the Sooners 3-0 (25-23, 25-18, 25-20) to remain undefeated at home on the season (9-0).
It was clear from the beginning that OU had come to play, with Sooners outsider hitter Alyssa Enneking setting the tone with her strong play in the first set. Her powerful presence at the net led to a 12-8 OU lead then a 19-15 lead for the Sooners later in the match.
Enneking would have five of the Sooners’ 16 first set kills and a total of 12 in the match.
TCU head coach Jill Kramer and her team had known they would face one of the Big 12’s best hitters (Enneking), and they prepared for just that.
“We do a great job, coaching staff and then us, trying to engage in what our plan is against them; knowing percentages and when the ball goes to her and when it doesn’t,” said TCU senior middle blocker Anna Walsh about playing about Enneking.
However, the Horned Frogs answered the powerful play of OU with offensive firepower of their own. Led by Walsh and senior outside hitter Lexi MacLean, the Frogs had four kills as part of a 10-4 run to take the first set 25-23.
The game would only get easier for the Frogs from there, as the Sooners had no answer for freshman outside hitter Élan McCall in the second set. McCall had 6 kills in the set combined with a .385 hitting percentage. McCall would finish with 16 kills and 14 digs in the match, her sixth double-double of the season and 13th straight game with double-digit kills.
“Before every match we try to talk offensive game plan,” Walsh said. “[Tonight], I think it was great execution.”
Sophomore setter Tori Dilfer was a huge part of that offensive execution for TCU, as she recorded 41 assists in the match.
“I thought Tori did a really good job,” Kramer said, “And that’s good, because sometimes, when you don’t pass well, you can be very one dimensional.”
The Frogs played well on defense in both the second and third sets, slowing down the Sooners offense and cruising to victory.
Sophomore Berklie Baker had five digs in the third set alone for TCU. Baker would finish with eight digs in the match in her fourth straight game as libero for the Frogs.
After playing at home in their first match, the Frogs will head north for their next two games against Kansas and Kansas State.
“We talked about it immediately after the match,” Kramer said. “Just remember that tomorrow we are 0-0 again and we need to prep for Kansas the same way we just did for OU.”
First serve for TCU’s matchup with Kansas is set for 1 p.m. Sept. 22.
