TCU
East Carolina
VolleyFrogs Fall to Pirates in Five-Game Thriller
10/20/2001 12:00:00 AM
Oct. 20, 2001
FORT WORTH, Texas - The TCU volleyball team (6-14, 2-7 C-USA) dropped its second consecutive match with its loss to East Carolina (5-15, 3-8 C-USA) on Saturday. The Frogs hope to change their fortunes when they head out on the road next week.
ECU dashed out to a substantial lead until TCU tied things up at 25 on two kills by junior Jenn Cuca during a serving series from junior Stephanie Watson. However, TCU could not manage to hang on and dropped game one 30-28.
TCU refused to take the game one setback lying down, so they went after game two in record fashion. The Frog seniors stepped up in the game to provide big blocks, as well as important kills that kept the momentum in the Frogs' court. TCU followed Cuca's strong serving to score the last 10 points of the game and win 30-11. TCU hit a solid .429 (14 kills, 2 errors, 28 attacks), while ECU struggled to a poor -.125 (6 kills, 9 errors, 24 attacks). The 11 points TCU allowed are the fewest by any Frog opponent this season in 30-point games.
Following intermission, it was a point-for-point battle with the Frogs falling behind early. TCU tied things up on a kill by sophomore Courtney Beach at the 12-all mark, her third in four plays. ECU refused to give up and battled back and forth with the Frogs to pull out the extended play win at 33-31.
In another tight game, the Frogs finally broke out after senior Jennifer Sebastian drilled home a kill to set the Frogs on a roll to score 12 of the last 17 points. Senior Marci King had three big kills during the game, while senior Allison Lynch was in on two crucial blocks with Sebastian and King. TCU won game four 30-22 to force the fifth and deciding game.
The fifth game was a tale of opposites. ECU hit a whopping .571 (8 kills, no errors on 14 attacks), while TCU had trouble making things happen as they hit .053 (5 kills, 4 errors on 19 attacks). The Pirates took the game 15-8 to win the match 3-2.
"East Carolina was really hot tonight - they played well. Amanda Rudolph (from Arlington) did a nice job for them," said head coach Sandy Troudt. "We played tough again tonight, but couldn't get the win. It's very frustrating."
"Steph (Watson) had a nice night. Marci (King) needs to hit more balls for us. Courtney Beach was a real spark tonight for us. She really helped turn the third game."
TCU was led by King and Cuca, who both scored double-doubles for the evening (King - 19 kills, 12 digs, Cuca - 11 kills, 11 attacks). Sophomore Tori Barlow and senior Lindsay Hayes split the assists with 30 and 29, respectively. Sebastian led the Frogs in blocks with seven.
The Frogs head on the road for six straight matches beginning next weekend with a trip to South Florida on October 26 and UAB on October 28. TCU plays again in the metroplex on Tuesday, October 30 at Texas-Arlington.
