TCU
Charlotte *
Volleyball Drops Five-Game Thriller to Charlotte
11/16/2002 12:00:00 AM
Nov. 16, 2002
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The TCU Volleyball (12-17, 4-9 C-USA) team fell in a five-game heartbreaker to Charlotte (17-14, 7-6 C-USA) on Saturday night at Halton Arena. The loss marks the first for the Frogs when they've played the full five games in 2002.
TCU crept out to an early three-point lead in game one before Charlotte tied the game at 8-8. The teams swapped scoring opportunities until the 49ers broke an 18-18 tie and pushed out to a two-point lead at several points. The Frogs fought to stay in the first game and tied things up at 25 all on a kill by freshman Erin Estep. Again at 29 and 30 apiece, the Frogs were able to tie Charlotte with kills by freshman Hayley Harmon. The 49ers, however, capitalized on TCU errors to win 32-30.
Game two did not start well for the Frogs as three consecutive attack errors allowed Charlotte to get out to a 6-3 lead. TCU battled back to tie the game at 12-12. Neither team could gain a substantial lead until the 49ers scored on three straight plays to move to a four-point advantage at 23-19. From 27-27 on the teams traded points until Charlotte's service error gave the Frogs a 31-30 lead. TCU took the game two win, 32-30, and evened the match at one game apiece.
The 49ers rushed into the lead in game three, with their largest advantage coming at 13-7. TCU evened the game at 18 all, and then was able to get out to a three-point lead at 23-20. The squads were tied again at 24-24, but Charlotte took advantage of Frog errors to win 30-28.
TCU took charge of the fourth game after the Frogs broke an 11-11 tied. TCU never allowed the 49ers any closer than one point after that, and claimed the 30-21 game four victory.
Game five was dominated by the 49ers. They pulled out to a six-point lead at 7-1 in the first to 15 fifth game. The Frogs were able to pull within three at 8-5, but never any closer as Charlotte picked up the 15-8 win.
"Straight up, the team came in thinking, 'we win in five games'," said head coach Prentice Lewis. "We didn't prepare mentally for it."
Szabo tallied 28 kills and 68 attacks for the night, while junior Tori Barlow picked up 51 assists. Estep earned two aces and senior Jenn Cuca was credited with 17 digs. Harmon earned five blocks, including two solo.
The Frogs will make their first appearance in the Healthy Choice Conference USA Tournament beginning Fri., Nov. 22 on the campus of DePaul University. Seedings and match times will be determined following the end of the regular season C-USA action.
