TCU Loses Frustrating Match
10/31/2003 12:00:00 AM
Oct. 31, 2003
Blue Demon Halloween tricks left the volleyball Horned Frogs frustrated and empty-handed after an intense match in the University Rec Center. After an early surge in the first game, TCU fell into the DePaul trap and the last three games slipped from its grasp, losing 3-1.
Things looked great for the Frogs from the first point to the 18th in the first game; that is, until DePaul's head coach Dawn Dockstader called a timeout. The Blue Demons responded with six straight points, bringing the game within a single point for the rest of the period. With the offensive contribution of freshman Anna Vaughn, who went .778 the first game with seven kills in nine attempts, the Frogs sneaked past the Blue Demons with their best performance of the night, hitting .250 collectively and winning 30-27.
DePaul had not stopped creeping up on the Frogs, however. The struggle to pull out the first win took its toll on TCU, stripping much needed confidence, which showed in the next three games. The second game's deciding point came in a service ace by junior setter Amy Holmes, ending the game 30-26This trend continued into the third game, when sophomore outside hitter Mandy Moorberg landed three aces in a row right off the bat. Every player's attack percentage lowered this game, neither team able to pull ahead of .175. The third game went to DePaul 30-24. Despite outstanding play from TCU sophomore outside hitter Hayley Harmon, the Frogs were unable to take the match into a fifth game, losing the fourth 30-25.
Junior outside hitter Dominika Szabo added another double-double to her long career list, grabbing 20 digs and 14 kills; senior setter Tori Barlow also dished out 50 assists in addition to her 10 digs. Junior opposite Ellen Rehme hammered out 15 kills, while freshman middle blocker Anna Vaughn scored a team-high 18 kills for a .455 average and four blocks. Harmon put down eight kills and dug up eight balls to help the team out with her .444 attack percentage.
For the Blue Demons, Moorberg scored a team-high 21 kills with 18 digs, along with four service aces. Senior outside hitter Janet Cotter put up 16 kills and 16 digs and three other Blue Demons picked up double-digit digs while two other put down double-digit kills.
With the loss, TCU falls to 17-9 overall, 3-5 in Conference USA play. DePaul raised themselves to 11-15 overall with a 3-5 C-USA mark. The Horned Frogs barely have time to regroup to face the Marquette Golden Eagles tomorrow night, Saturday, Nov. 1, at 7 p.m.
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