TCU
Akron
Edwards Ties Career Mark; Frogs Win Tournament
9/12/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 12, 2009
AKRON, Ohio - TCU's Kourtney Edwards tied Allyson Lynch's career mark with her 445th block as she led the volleyball team to its second straight tournament title with a 3-0 win over Akron (29-327, 25-17, 25-21). Edwards earned her second straight tournament MVP honor, while Megan Munce and Katelyn Blackwood each earned all-tournament honors.Edwards' six blocks on the night led all blockers as she finished with a match-high 13 kills. Lauren Otto fell a kill short of a double-double with nine kills and 10 digs. Blackwood paced the team with 12 digs. Another outstanding offensive attack saw the Frogs hit .343 with 43 kills in the three sets.
A back-and-forth affair in the first set proved to be an intense battle from the first serve. Neither team could build much of a lead, the biggest being a three-point advantage by the Frogs at 5-2 on a kill from Edwards. Akron would recover from the deficit and eventually take a 15-13 lead. Edwards and Irene Hester teamed on a block to spur a 4-0 run that turned the deficit into a 17-15 lead.
The Zips wouldn't go away quietly as they put together a 5-2 run to take a 20-19 lead. Kristen Hester and Otto quelled the rally to open up a 22-20 advantage and force a Zips timeout.
Out of the break, the Zips rattled off three straight point to regain the lead. A service error tied the set and Edwards blasted a kill to give the Frogs set point. TCU would waste two more set points and stave off another before Irene Hester and Christy Hudson put together back-to-back kills for the 29-27 victory.
TCU stormed out to a 5-1 lead in the second set only to see Akron come back with a 13-7 run and taking a 14-12 lead. Four straight kills from Otto put the Frogs on top 18-15.
After an Akron timeout, the Frogs went on a 5-1 run to take a 23-16 lead. Edwards and Irene Hester teamed on a block and Otto dropped in an ace. A Munce kill capped the run. Edwards gave the Frogs set point and Kristen Hester sealed the 25-17 victory.
Akron took a 2-0 lead in the third set, but a 4-0 run erased the lead and the Frogs never trailed after that. A Meghan Horio ace put the Frogs on top for good. Two kills and a solo block from Hudson gave the Frogs a 12-7 lead, forcing an Akron timeout.
The Frogs continued to build on their lead and moved it to eight on Edwards' record-tying block as she teamed with Otto to give the Frogs an 18-10 lead. TCU held off a 7-1 run after a service error gave the Frogs match point. Edwards finally ended the set with a kill to give the Frogs a 25-21 set three victory.
TCU improves to 8-3 on the season. The Frogs will open up conference play on Wednesday as they travel to Albuquerque for a match up with New Mexico. Match time against the Lobos is set for 8 p.m. (CST).
