TCU
Arkansas
Volleyball Opens Season With Victory Over Arkansas
8/28/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 28, 2009
Final Stats | Photo Gallery 
In the victory, the Frogs have now won nine straight five-set matches dating back to the 2007 campaign.
Making just her second career start, Kristen Hester tallied a career 11 kills and hit .310 for the match. She also tied for the team lead with six blocks, including two solo. Katelyn Blackwood finished the night with 21 digs. Freshman Sloane Sunstrum rattled off four aces in her first career match.
In the first set, the Frogs rallied from a 13-8 deficit to eke out the victory. Irene Hester spurred a 4-0 rally that got the Frogs back in the set with her first kill of the match. TCU eventually knotted the game on a Lauren Otto ace and Edwards gave the Frogs a lead they would never relinquish at 19-18. Back-to-back blocks from Edwards and Hudson pushed the lead to three, 21-18.
The Razorbacks battled back to tie the game at 24, but a kill from Kristen Hester gave the Frogs set point and an attacking error by Arkansas sealed the 26-24 win.
A 13-kill team performance in the second set by Arkansas enabled it to tie the match at a game apiece as it took a 25-17 win. TCU kept the set close as it battled to a 17-all tie before Jasmine Norton stepped behind the service line and closed out the match with a 9-0 run.
A strong serving and blocking set from the Frogs got them the 2-1 match lead as they again took a 26-24 set victory. The set was close the entire way with neither team enjoying more than a two point lead. There were 15 ties and three lead changes along the way.
Edwards blasted a kill to break a 22-22 tie, but the Razorbacks Amanda Anderson answered with a kill of her own. Again, the Frogs took control on a Munce kill only to see the Razorbacks respond with one of its own. Kristen Hester gave the Frogs their second set point and she finished it with a blast down the middle.
Despite out-hitting the Razorbacks 15-13 in the fourth set, the Frogs couldn't overcome a four-block effort from Arkansas as it was able to knot the match at two, forcing the decisive fifth set. The Frogs had a late lead, 21-20, but Katelyn McCarthy rattled off five points on her serve to give the Razorbacks set point. Back-to-back kills from Hudson held the Razorbacks at bay before a blocking error gave Arkansas a 25-23 set four victory.
TCU took a commanding 4-0 lead helped along by back-to-back denials on the outside from the duo of Hudson and Kristen Hester.
Arkansas wouldn't be denied as it battled back to take a 7-6 lead. A Hudson service ace tied the set, but an Anderson kill put the Razorbacks on top. They would build an 11-8 lead, forcing the Frogs to take a timeout. Kristen Hester pulled the Frogs within one with a loud blast on the right side and a block by Sunstrum and Kristen Hester tied the game at 12. Munce served out the contest to seal the 15-12 victory.
TCU returns to action on Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. at the University Rec Center. The Frogs will face-off against Grambling State at one and close out tournament play at 7 p.m. against Loyola Marymount.
