TCU
Houston
TCU Season Comes To End in 3-0 Loss
11/29/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 29, 2008
HOUSTON, Texas - The TCU Horned Frog volleyball season came to an end with a disappointing 3-0 (15-25, 23-25, 20-25) loss to Houston Saturday night. The Frogs were led offensively by Kourtney Edwards with 10 kills and four blocks in the loss. Nirelle Hampton tallied 33 assists in her final match, while Devon Kirk had two aces and three kills in her last game at TCU.A 5-0 run for Houston to open the match spelled disaster for TCU as it could never recover from the early deficit. The Frogs tried to mount a comeback with a 3-0 run led by kills from Christy Hudson and Irene Hester to get back within two, 7-5. A back-and-forth battle ensued as the Cougars were able to maintain the two-point advantage.
But another big run by the Cougars ended any thoughts of a TCU rally. Houston opened up a 22-13 lead with a 7-0 run that essentially sealed the early match lead. Despite a block from Nirelle Hampton and Hannah Fort and a kill from Hampton, the Cougars won the set 25-15.
A much tighter game in the second set looked like it would go the way of the Frogs, but another run by Houston put the Frogs in a 2-0 hole. With the set tied at 13, a service error by the Cougars led to a 3-0 run by TCU that was aided by kills from Lauren Otto and Devon Kirk.
TCU was able to maintain its three point advantage on kills from Hampton, Kourtney Edwards and Hudson. Service errors by the Cougars helped TCU take a 23-20 lead, but from there it was all Houston. The Cougars closed out the set with a 5-0 run to steal the 25-23 game two victory.
It was another lead for the Cougars that helped Houston take a 25-20 set three victory to close out the match. The Frogs again put up a fight as they did take a 10-9 lead on a kill from Edwards, but they could never build on their advantage. A 6-1 run by Houston gave it a commanding 20-14 advantage.
Otto spurred a 3-0 run as the Frogs tried to get back in the set. Hudson and Edwards teamed up on a block in the middle to pull within three, 20-17 and force a Houston timeout. The break proved to be effective for the Cougars as they reeled off four straight points to set up match point. TCU staved off three of those match points on kills from Hester and Edwards as well as a block from the duo, but a kill from Justine Farmer locked up the 25-20 win.
Katelyn Blackwood posted 15 digs in the match. Otto finished the night with nine kills, followed by Hudson with eight.
TCU finishes its season with a 20-12 mark and a 9-7 record in conference play.
