TCU Volleyball 2002 Outlook
7/25/2002 12:00:00 AM
July 25, 2002
FORT WORTH, Texas - If 2001 was a season to build upon, then 2002 will be a season of new beginnings for the TCU Horned Frogs. Under the direction of first year head coach Prentice Lewis, the Frogs will work to improve on their dismal 7-21 record from last season and begin to form the basis of a solid, consistently competitive volleyball program.
The Coaching Staff
Named as the second head volleyball coach in TCU history on Feb. 5, 2002, Lewis will direct a staff that includes one other Frog newcomer and one returning Frog.
Prior to her TCU appointment, Lewis served as an assistant coach at Florida, Oregon and UC-Irvine. She played collegiately for Long Beach State, and was a part of the 1993 NCAA Division I National Championship Team.
Lewis named her assistants just 20 days after she was hired. Jason Tanaka comes to TCU from Pittsburgh, while Barbara Kovacs begins her second stint as a Frog assistant coach.
The Seniors
The 2002 squad has only two seniors and both will be expected to take on some leadership roles during the season.
Jenn Cuca will play either outside hitter or libero, while Stephanie Watson will play outside hitter. Both players are competitive and will fight to be on the court as much as possible.
Cuca has strong defensive skills and a good knowledge of the game. Her experience will help to develop the younger players. Watson is a fierce competitor who never wants to be on the bench. Her strong desire to win may provide the spark that the Frogs will need as they work to gel as a squad.
The Juniors
Tori Barlow and Courtney Beach make up the junior class on this season's team. Both are tough competitors who find ways to create something on the court.
Barlow will hold the starting setter position while teaching the collegiate ropes to the underclassmen. She is a team leader, taking care of things both on and off the court. Barlow is the quickest, most agile athlete on the Frog team.
Beach will play middle blocker this season, a position that she has trained for during the spring and one in which she is finding her comfort zone. She is a player who can find a way to score points and make plays happen.
The Sophomores
The sophomore contingent brings a different personality to the TCU team. As a whole, they are competitive, but best of all they bring a high level of energy to the Frogs.
Elizabeth Bateman will play opposite or setter in 2002. Her solid work ethic, desire to learn and willingness to push herself will allow her to see more game action this season.
Shannon Brown, if she can come back healthy, will be the starting middle blocker for the Frogs. She developed a great deal during the spring season, and her enthusiasm can only help the Frogs.
Amber Sims hopes to bounce back from off-season surgery and work her way into the starting rotation. Her good defensive play and passing skills will benefit the team, but she'll have to earn her playing time with quality action in the fall.
Dominika Szabo is the Frogs' best all-around athlete and the strongest returner in 2002. When she was healthy, she played very well during the spring season. Szabo has a great court sense-she always knows where the ball is going.
The Freshmen
The incoming freshman will have solid players to mentor them as they learn their new roles at the collegiate level.
Jackie Choi is a good athlete who jumps well. She will have two years to train behind Tori Barlow and learn the role of the collegiate setter.
Erin Estep will have to work to edge out upperclassmen for playing time at the middle blocker position.
Hayley Harmon will have to push the older outside hitters for playing time. Her game will continue to improve as she practices with the older players.
Carissa Mills will definitely push her teammates for playing time, and possibly start at outside hitter or opposite. As a lefty, she brings a different line of attack for opponents to defend.
Julie Van't Wout is an excellent walk-on who will bring discipline and a strong work ethic to the squad through her ROTC experience. She is energetic and very strong, and will compete for playing time at outside hitter.
With the youth that abounds on the 2002 Horned Frog team, growing pains are inevitable for TCU. However, only from those growing pains can the beginnings of a solid future form.
