TCU
Maine
Frogs sweep Maine in tournament opener
8/31/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 31, 2007
ORONO, Maine - The TCU Horned Frogs swept the host school, Maine, in Friday's tournament opener (30-19, 30-26, 30-20) to improve to 3-1 on the season. After winning game one easily, TCU had to battle back from a late deficit in game two to win and then won game three for its second sweep of the season. Kourtney Edwards paced the Frogs offensively with 13 kills, while Lauren Otto posted her third double-double of the season. Calli Corley was the defensive star with a match-high 19 digs.Edwards was on fire in game one as she connected for seven kills in the set to lead the Frogs to the easy 30-19 win. The Frogs stormed out to an early 10-5 lead with help from two Edwards' kills, a Devon Kirk solo block as well as kills from Nirelle Hampton and Otto.
The lead continued to grow behind the serve of Loren Barry. Back-to-back aces from the senior gave the Frogs a 16-7 lead. The lead continued to grow, reaching double digits on a kill from Otto. TCU had to withstand a late rally from the Blackbears, but with Katelyn Blackwood behind the serving line, the Frogs built the lead back to 28-19. A Hampton kill followed by a blast from Irene Hester closed out the Frogs game one win.
Game two was a battle from the first serve with neither team able to gain much of an advantage. The game crept out to a 9-9 lead before Maine was finally able to open up a big lead behind the serving of Paige Tortorello. Facing a 13-9 deficit, the Frogs called a timeout. Out of the break, Hampton dumped the ball to the back of the court to kill the Maine rally and start a three-point run for the Frogs.
The Blackbears again opened up a five-point cushion before a Jessica Wolfenden serving error ended their run. Kirk took the ball and served the Frogs back within one. A combination of tough serving and good defense helped the Frogs get back in the game. The Frogs were finally able to knot the game at 25 on a LeMeita Smith blast. Two straight kills from Edwards sealed the game two win for the Frogs, 30-26.
The Frogs controlled game three from the first serve on as they completed the sweep with a 30-20 win. The game was tight early, but a 5-0 run by the Frogs broke the game open. Hampton mixed in two service aces around a Barry and Kirk stuff to give TCU a 11-9 lead.
After Maine had battled back to tie the game at 12, the Frogs went on a 14-4 run to gain a 26-16 lead. Again, the Bears had a little late rally in them as they rattled off a five-point run, but it was to little to late as the Frogs closed out the match on kills from Hampton, Kirk and Otto and a Corley ace.
For the match, the Frogs hit .262 with 51 kills. Otto's double-double came courtesy of 12 kills and 14 digs. The Frogs racked up eight aces in the match and racked up 58 digs.
TCU improves to 3-1 with the win. The Frogs will play two matches on Saturday to wrap up tournament play. A match-up with Cincinnati at 10 a.m. will be followed by a rematch with Maine at 3 p.m.
