TCU
Houston @ Rice University Tournament
Volleyball Drops First Match of Season
9/6/2002 12:00:00 AM
Sept. 6, 2002
HOUSTON, Texas - The TCU Volleyball team (4-1) was unable to continue their unbeaten streak as they fell in three games to the Houston Cougars (5-0) on Friday at the Crowne Plaza/Rice University Invitational. The meeting between the two Conference USA schools was considered a non-conference match.
Game one was Houston's from the beginning as they jumped out to a 7-1 lead early. The Frogs rallied to pull within two points several times, but the Cougars went on scoring runs of their own to take the first game, 30-20. Freshman Hayley Harmon led the Frogs with five of the team's 12 kills in game one.
The Frogs took an early lead in the second game, before Houston battled back. TCU was able to pull within four late on a block by sophomores Amber Sims and Dominika Szabo. However, Houston picked up game two by a score of 30-25 to lead 2-0 in the match.
Houston took command of game three early and refused to relinquish control. TCU was within four points late in the match, but was unable to complete the comeback.
"We had the opportunity tonight to continue with the lessons that we've been learning as far as what we'll be as a program and team," said head coach Prentice Lewis. "Unfortunately, this match was a reflection of how we've practiced the last couple of days. We were happy with the four wins last weekend, but four wins in a season is not good enough. The team knows they have tomorrow to play and 24 matches to keep learning."
Sims led the Frogs with eight kills for the evening, while senior Jenn Cuca posted 22 attacks and 10 digs. Junior Tori Barlow put 29 assists in the books during the match. Szabo aced three serves against the Cougars. Freshman Erin Estep earned three blocks.
TCU will meet up on Saturday with Rice (10:00 a.m.) and Louisiana-Lafayette (4:00 p.m.) in day two of the Crowne Plaza/Rice University Invitational. Horned Frog volleyball will return to Daniel-Meyer Coliseum when they host the TCU Invitational on Sept. 13 and 14.
