TCU
UT Arlington
TCU Claims UTA Hilton Invitational With 3-0 Win
9/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 19, 2009
ARLINGTON, Texas - The TCU volleyball claimed their third straight tournament crown with a 3-0 (25-20, 25-19, 25-19) defeat of UT Arlington Saturday night. Kourtney Edwards paced the high-flying attack with 12 kills and five blocks. Megan Munce served up three aces and dished out 30 assists. Edwards and Christy Hudson were named to the all-tournament team.Hudson joined Edwards as the only other Frog to tally double-digit kills, finishing with 10. Irene Hester led all defensive players with 14 digs, while Katelyn Blackwood racked up 10 in the three sets. Irene Hester also dropped in three aces.
The first set featured five ties but no lead changes as the Frogs jumped in front and stayed in control. An Irene Hester blast spurred a 4-0 run that put the Frogs up 8-4. Back-to-back aces from Kristen Hester put TCU on top 12-7, forcing a Maverick timeout. Out of the break, the Frogs continued to roll on kills from Hudson and Edwards as well as a block by the duo.
UT Arlington put together an impressive run that enabled it to get the set tied at 19, however, the Mavericks couldn't complete the comeback. Again, Irene Hester had the answer as she blasted a kill to the back court for the 20-19 lead. Munce added an ace and Hannah Fort dropped in a kill to give the Frogs set point. Fort teamed with Hudson to deny a Maverick attack to seal the 25-20 set one victory.
A similar set followed as the Frogs jumped out to an early lead only to see the Mavericks fight back to tie the set. Irene Hester served up two aces and put down a kill to put the Frogs on top 10-4, but the Mavericks had a 5-0 run that closed the gap to one, 10-9.
The set worked its way to an 18-all tie before the Frogs went on another run to regain the lead. A Hudson kill got the Frogs rolling, followed by a kill from Lauren Otto. A denial on in the middle by Hudson and Edwards forced a Maverick timeout. Two straight kills from Edwards moved the score to 24-19 and a Maverick hitting error locked up the 25-19 set two victory.
UTA overcame an early third set deficit to take an 11-10 lead. Fort tied the set and the Frogs went on a 6-0 run that would put the set out of reach. Otto dropped in a kill, while Irene Hester served up her third ace. A solo block by Hudson capped the run with the Frogs in control, 16-11. Hudson and Edwards teamed on the final play of the match, blocking a Maverick attack for the 25-19 set three win.
TCU improves to 12-3 on the season. The Frogs will hit the heart of the conference schedule beginning Thursday night at Wyoming. Match time against the Cowgirls is slated for 8 p.m. (CST).
