Experience leads TCU in 2006 season
8/23/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 23, 2006
FORT WORTH, Texas - The next era in TCU volleyball begins with the 2006 season, as a crop of four new faces and 10 returning players hit the court with high hopes and a clear vision. After posting back-to-back 20-plus win seasons in 2003 and 2004 and becoming the all-time winningest coach in program history in 2005, TCU head coach Prentice Lewis looks to lead a more experienced Horned Frog squad into its second year in the Mountain West Conference (MWC).The 2005 campaign was a year of firsts, as TCU leaped into the talent-rich MWC without its core veterans as Ellen Rehme and three-time all-conference selection Dominika Szabo were lost to graduation. Those and some other key losses left some big holes to fill, but they also provided a chance for underclassmen to log significant playing time. With rookie Nirelle Hampton thrust into a starting setter role and five underclassmen spending ample time on the court, the Horned Frogs finished the season 16-18 overall and 3-13 in league action.
As for 2006, Lewis returns a strong nucleus of talent which includes rising senior Anna Vaughn and Hampton, who became only the second player in Horned Frogs' history to register a triple-double. The Gainesville, Fla., product recorded 41 assists, 15 digs and 11 kills in TCU's 3-1 victory over Air Force on Oct. 7. Also back on the court this year is junior redshirt Emily Allen, a right side hitter who missed the entire 2005 campaign with a knee injury.
For the first time during her tenure at TCU, fifth-year net boss Lewis is playing with a roster full of student-athletes she recruited. She has enjoyed four successful years at TCU and on Sept. 4, 2005 she reached new heights and established herself as the program's all-time greatest coaches. With a 3-1 victory over Seton Hall at the George Mason Tournament in Fairfax, Va., Lewis recorded her 58th career win, which surpassed former head coach Sandy Troudt for the top spot on the TCU career wins list. Simply put, she is one of the top young coaches in the country.
Although very proud of her accomplishments, Lewis - a notorious perfectionist - constantly looks to the next goal. Despite the loss of five seniors and regardless of the team's youth or experience, Lewis expects her squad to aim high, get better each day and be hungrier than ever.
The Seniors
For the Frogs to make that next step, however, TCU will have to rely heavily on three seniors who will have to lead a squad that will feature some young faces in key spots. The 2006 senior squad is anchored and led by middle blocker Anna Vaughn (Grapevine, Texas/Southlake Carroll HS), a competitively-driven athlete who has registered a considerable amount of playing time during the last three years at TCU. A two-time All-Conference USA selection, Vaughn is an all-around explosive threat both offensively and defensively after averaging a team-best 3.76 kills per game and a team-high 1.03 blocks per contest in 2005. Additionally, she hit a team-high .295 percent and averaged a respectable 1.14 digs per outing.
Coach Lewis on Anna Vaughn
"Anna gets it done, she works hard and she works smart. She is excited about the season and we look forward to seeing great things from her. It's her senior year and she has done all the little things to make herself successful. We always talk to our athletes about `sense of urgency.' It is important because everything must count now, not tomorrow, and Anna will lead the way this season."
Calli Corley and Agi Nemeth are the other two seniors and they will look to conclude their playing careers at TCU on a high note. Corley, a defensive specialist from Abilene, Texas, played in 110 games last season and tallied 2.24 digs per game. Meanwhile, Nemeth (Gyor, Hungary) is a big-blocker; her defensive prowess will be looked upon to stop opponents' offensive attacks. Nemeth averaged 1.16 kills, 0.95 digs and 0.42 blocks per game last year.
Coach Lewis on Cali Corley and Agi Nemeth
"Calli and Agi are seniors and this is when they need to lay it all out. I am looking forward to seeing what Calli can do this fall because she really developed over the spring. Agi has been with us for three years and has improved every single year. She has worked very hard on her communication and sacrificed to be here over the summer. I look forward to seeing her ability this fall."
The Juniors
The junior class is deeply skilled, made up of three exceptionally athletic individuals who should make significant contributions on the court in 2006. The talent-rich trio of Emily Allen, Loren Barry and LeMeita Smith should provide guidance to the younger players.
Allen, a right side hitter from San Jose, Calif. (Archbishop Mitty HS), returns to the court after sustaining a season-ending knee injury two seasons ago. The team anticipates her return and Lewis expects Allen to make a strong statement on both sides of the net.
Coach Lewis on Emily Allen
"It is great to have Emily back in the lineup. She will balance our offense and help tremendously with defense and passing."
Berry (Long Beach, Calif./Memorial HS) is the true definition of utility player, as her versatility allows her to contribute both offensively and defensively. She is used primarily as a defensive specialist and role player, having logged a second-best 2.64 digs per game last year. Additionally, she was second in set assists with 1.10 touches per game.
Coach Lewis on Loren Barry
"Loren's knowledge of the game makes her one of our better all-around players."
Smith, a standout outside hitter and middle blocker, is explosive at the net and has the potential for a breakout junior campaign. As a sophomore, the native of Arlington, Texas (Sam Houston HS), averaged a respectable 2.28 kills, 0.53 blocks and 0.34 digs per outing.
Coach Lewis on LeMeita Smith
"LeMeita is by far the best athlete we have. We are ready for her to translate her athleticism into being the best volleyball player she can be. When that happens...look out."
The Sophomores
It's hard to consider Nirelle Hampton, Devon Kirk and Gabi McHugh underclassmen considering the threesome gained valuable playing experience during their rookie campaigns. Each brings a winning mentality and special component to the mix and their experience at the collegiate level should increase their overall productivity on the court.
During her recruiting efforts, Lewis sought players who would adhere to her philosophy for success - bringing effort and intensity at all times. She found that person in Hampton who jumped into the spotlight as the Horned Frogs' starting setter in 2005. Hampton held her own, establishing herself as the team's primary setter as a true freshman, tallying 1,225 set assists (9.88 apg) and she was the lone Frog to start in all 34 matches on the year. After just one season, she ranks on the school's all-time top-10 list in attack percentage (third, .275), total assists (fourth, 1,225), assists per game (fourth, 9.88), and points (274.0).
Coach Lewis on Nirelle Hampton
"Nirelle has the drive and the will to be the best player on the court. She supports but pushes her teammates to do their best. It will be exciting to see her develop as a leader over the fall."
Kirk (Katy, Texas/Second Baptist HS) and McHugh (Oceanside, Calif./Vista HS) are super athletic and provide much-needed strength on the outside. An outside hitter, Kirk played in 94 games last season and registered 1.62 kills, 0.47 digs and 0.54 blocks per game as a freshman. Meanwhile, McHugh split time between middle blocker and outside hitter and averaged 1.40 kills and 0.60 blocks per contest.
Coach Lewis on Devon Kirk and Gabi McHugh
"We moved Devon to the outside last year and she has made some great adjustments...her athleticism really helps her to be a threat. Gabi hits the heaviest ball in our gym and she has made sacrifices to make herself better."
The Freshmen
Lewis plans to work hard to install a solid work ethic in the newcomers, and she expects freshmen Sydney Ackerly, Katelyn Blackwood, Lauren Otto and Mariana Silveira along with Kourtney Edwards, who opted to redshirt last season, to provide a lasting impact on the program in the upcoming years. Each of these players is expected to provide a high level of energy and a desire to learn every phase of the game.
Ackerly, a 6-foot-3 outside hitter from Houston, Texas, had a standout prep career at Memorial High School where she was named an All-District 18-5A selection in 2004 and 2005.
Coach Lewis on Sydney Ackerly
"Sydney is a right side player that brings a lot of height to our roster. I look forward to seeing her develop this season."
A 5-foot-6 defensive specialist out of Lamar High School in Houston, Blackwood grabbed first-team all-district honors in 2003, 2004 and 2005. She also earned all-district honorable mention distinctions as a freshmen and was voted Most Athletic in her senior class.
Coach Lewis on Katelyn Blackwood
"Katelyn has good instincts and will help us defensively."
Edwards was a decorated player for Haltom High School, earning numerous accolades during her four-year career. She chose to redshirt last season and gained valuable knowledge about the college game on the sidelines and in practice. Her background should help her this season as she gets a taste for the collegiate game.
Coach Lewis on Kourtney Edwards
"Kourtney is someone to watch. She has improved tremendously over this past spring and her abilities are just scratching the surface."
Otto, a 5-foot-10 outside hitter from Arlington, Texas (Arlington HS) is arguably the most decorated incoming freshman thanks to an outstanding prep career that included her being named to the Class 5A all-state team in 2004.
Coach Lewis on Lauren Otto
"Otto will see some serious playing time this season. She is an all-around player that will help us offensively, defensively and passing too. I look forward to seeing her perform this fall."
Along with Nemeth, Silveira will provide international experience to the team as she hails from Lourdes, Brazil. The 5-foot-2 defensive specialist is quick on her feet and led Minas Colegio Tenis Clube to the gold medal at the Brazilian Championship in 2003. Furthermore, she helped her squad to bronze medal finishes in 2003 and 2004.
Coach Lewis on Mariana Silveira
"I'm looking forward to the international experience Mariana will bring to the team."
The Schedule
TCU is equipped and geared to make a run at the 2006 Mountain West Conference title and find its way to the NCAA Tournament. The schedule is highlighted by two Southeastern Conference (SEC) opponents, a Big XII foe, renewed rivalries and two home tournaments.
"We are excited about the 2006 schedule," stated Lewis. "One of our goals is to schedule schools from power conferences and we have done that again this year with Mississippi and South Carolina. It is going to be a little different this season since we only have three tournaments before conference play begins, rather than the normal four."
Aug. 25 marks the start date to the season as the Frogs host Boise State, Loyola (Md.), South Carolina and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in the first of three regular-season tournaments. South Carolina makes its first visit to the University Rec Center.
TCU follows the home tournament with a short commute to Arlington, Texas, to take on UT-Arlington on Aug. 29 in a midweek showdown.
A trip to Elon, N.C., on Sept. 1 for a tournament versus UAB, Elon and Navy is next up for TCU before heading back to Fort Worth to host its second tournament of the season. Navy is the first of two service academies the Frogs will face this season with Air Force being the second in Mountain West Conference play.
In its second midweek affair of the season, the Frogs travel to Denton to take on North Texas on Sept. 5. TCU also has an away date with Oklahoma on Oct. 31 for its third and final Tuesday night match.
"We are really fortunate to keep our rivalry with North Texas and Oklahoma going," Lewis continued. "Over the past few seasons, these rivalries have gotten stronger and stronger and it is great for all three universities."
Centenary, Davidson and Mississippi come to Fort Worth on Sept. 8 for a two-day affair. Mississippi is the second SEC team to visit the campus during the 2006 season and it is the first time the Horned Frogs have hosted two Southeastern Conference teams in the same season.
Texas State heads to town on Sept. 13 in a non-conference clash before TCU welcomes Wyoming on Sept. 16 to kick off conference play.
"Overall, we feel this is a great preseason schedule," explained Lewis. "It will prepare us for a tough Mountain West Conference that had three teams play in the NCAA Tournament last season."
BYU, Colorado State and Utah represented the MWC a season ago in the tournament. Mountain West regular-season play follows a home-and-home format.
