Sylvester’s Career Day Leads to Sweep Over USU

Friday, September 8

College Station, Texas

2:30 PM

TCU

3-4,0-0Big 12

Utah State

5-3,0-0Mountain West

Utah St.

TCU

Sylvester’s Career Day Leads to Sweep Over USU

9/8/2023 5:29:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

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Sarah Sylvester’s 13 blocks are the most in school history in a three-set match

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – TCU's season-best 16 team blocks propelled the Horned Frogs to a 3-0 sweep over Utah State on Friday afternoon in Reed Arena.

Sarah Sylvester tallied a career-best 13 blocks, the most in program history in a three-set match and the second-most in program history among all matches. It's also the second-most blocks in a single game nationally this season.

Melanie Parra tied her career-best 19 kills, hitting .366 over three sets and Riley Buckley recorded her third consecutive double-double (26 assists, 16 digs) in the win.

The Rundown
TCU got off to a fast start early in the match. Tied 4-4, Melanie Parra landed her second kill of the day and sparked a seven-point scoring run, which was also highlighted by Parra's first of three service aces.

The Frogs maintained a big lead and led by as many as 11 points in the first set. Leading 20-10, Sarah Sylvester and Melanie Parra stuffed the Aggies and gave TCU the 21-10 edge. The Frogs closed out the first set with a final kill from Parra, winning 25-15.

The Frogs tallied six of their 16 blocks in the first set and held the Aggies to a -.065 hitting percentage.

TCU started strong in the second set as well, and with a Cecily Bramschreiber ace, the Frogs saw themselves up 6-1. Utah State began to rally as the set continued and took its first lead of the set, 15-14. Trailing 19-16, TCU ended the second frame on a 9-0 scoring run to clinch the 2-0 lead for the Frogs.

Sylvester posted one kill and three blocks in the final nine points and Parra tallied the final three kills to take the 25-19 win.

The third set was a back-and-forth battle and Utah State began to threaten late in the frame. Trailing 24-22, an Aggie error began a 3-0 scoring run to give the Frogs a 25-24 lead. USU tied the contest at 25, but a kill by Parra and a service ace from Jalyn Gibson ended the match and gave the Frogs the 27-25 win.

Gibson and Parra each tallied five kills and Sylvester recorded four of her 13 blocks in the final set.

As a team, TCU's 16 blocks were a season best. In addition to Sylvester's career day, Buckley, Brianna Green and Parra each had at least four blocks as well.

TCU Notes
• The Frogs tallied more kills (38), assists (37), digs (53), blocks (16) and points (60) than USU.
• TCU outhit USU .182-.094.
• TCU out-blocked USU as a team 16-6.5.
• TCU's 16 blocks are a season best.
• TCU has tallied double-digit blocks in each of the past four games.
• TCU served a season-best .961 and had six service aces to USU's one.
• Sarah Sylvester posted a career-best 13 blocks.
• Her 13 blocks are the most in program history in a three-set match.
• The 13 blocks are also the second-most in program history in all matches.
• Sylvester's 13 blocks are the second-most in a single game in the NCAA this season.
• Parra led TCU with 19 kills, tying her career high. It's the fourth time this season Parra has led the Frogs in kills.
• Parra also finished with a career-high 24 points in the match.
• Riley Buckley (26 assists, 16 digs) recorded her third consecutive double-double.
• Buckley led TCU in assists (26) and digs (16).
• Cecily Bramschreiber finished second on the team in digs (13) and assists (7).
• Jalyn Gibson tallied her third game this season with double-digit digs (10).

Up Next
TCU (3-4) concludes the Texas A&M Invitational with a game against Texas A&M (6-0) at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9 in College Station, Texas. The game will be televised on SEC Network+.