Volleyball swept twice by No. 2 Baylor in season openers

By Oscar Saravia

Published Oct 4, 2020

TCU was swept twice against Baylor in their Big 12 openers. (Photo courtesy of GoFrogs.com)

TCU volleyball opened their season with two consecutive losses to No. 2 Baylor at the Ferrell Center in Waco this weekend.

The Frogs were swept in the first game after losing all three sets 25-19, 25-19 and 25-12.

“We’re thankful that we’ve been given the opportunity to compete and appreciate all of the effort that so many people have put in to make that happen,” head coach Jill Kramer said. “Although we didn’t get the result we wanted tonight, we get another crack at Baylor tomorrow.”

Preseason All-Big 12 Katie Clark and sophomore Afedo Manyang led the Frogs on offense, combining for 20 kills. Setter McKenzie Nichols added 24 assists.

Baylor started strong, leading 9-4 early in the first set, and they never looked back, gaining a large enough lead to hold off late momentum by the Frogs to win the set.

The second set was a battle, featuring four lead changes and eight ties. TCU showed positive signs with an early 6-4 lead, but Baylor won seven of the last eight points to claim the set.

The Bears were dominant in the third and punished the Frogs after a series of mistakes.

Setter McKenzie Nichols in action against Baylor during the second game on Saturday. (Photo courtesy of GoFrogs.com)

The Frogs were swept again in the second game after another dominant performance by the Bears.

While Baylor was able to slow Clark down, senior Sarah Swanson led the team with six kills. Nichols ended the game again with 24 assists.

Despite the loss, some positives for TCU included first-years Kate Georgiades, who led the team with digs in her first-ever double-digit dig match, and Grayson Schirpik, who recorded her first two collegiate swings.

The first set was tight, showing an early 10-10 tie. Baylor ended up taking the set, though, after going on a 5-0 run that left the Frogs behind. The set’s final score was 25-17.

In the second set, Baylor started with a strong 10-5 lead and never lost steam, winning 25-10.

The Bears’ superiority was seen again in the last set after claiming it 25-15. TCU’s struggle to find points continued as they kept chasing loose balls and working for rallies.

“Hats off to Baylor for a great performance today,” Kramer said. “We are looking forward to getting back in the gym and prepping for our home opener in Schollmaier Arena on Thursday.”

The Frogs will play their home openers Thursday and Friday at 5 p.m. against Texas Tech University. The games will be streamed on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.