TCU Horned Frogs Extend Streak with Dual Victories
Inside Schollmaier Arena, the air hummed with the snap of leather and the sharp thud of spikes. TCU's No. 13-ranked squad dismantled Yale before battling back against Rice to secure a double-header sweep.
The lights in Fort Worth burned bright over the polished wood as No. 13 TCU volleyball concluded its non-conference season with a commanding dual. The Horned Frogs, fresh off a 3-0 dismissal of Yale, returned hours later to wrestle a hard-fought four-set victory from Rice. This double effort extended their winning streak to seven matches, leaving them with a 9-2 record and an untouched Big 12 slate. The arena, reported by GN sports/volleyball (en-US), felt the weight of two distinct battles played under one roof, each demanding different tactical responses from the TCU lineup.
Dominant Start Against Yale
The first match showcased TCU’s offensive precision, holding Yale to a sluggish .148 hitting percentage. Evan Hendrix and Becca Kelley anchored the attack, each recording 12 kills. Yale briefly held an 8-6 lead in the opening frame, but the Frogs adjusted, with Hendrix and Kinsley Young driving the closing run to take the set 25-20. Momentum carried into the second, where an 11-5 cushion allowed TCU to close out 25-18 after a late ace from Lauren Murphy. The third set tightened, with twelve ties and six lead changes before Jalyn Gibson’s kill at 22-22 shifted the balance. Young and Murphy sealed the sweep with consecutive blocks, ending the frame 25-22.
Resilience Against Rice
The second contest tested TCU’s grit. Rice struck early with a 7-0 run, but Hendrix responded with two consecutive kills to close the first set 25-22. The Owls took the second 25-21, yet TCU answered with a blistering .472 hitting percentage in the third. The fourth set became a war of attrition. Down 10-3, the Frogs chipped away until Hendrix equalized at 17. She then ignited an 8-0 run, flipping the deficit into a 24-17 lead. Rice saved four match points, but Young’s 15th kill of the night put the final nail in the coffin.
Individual Brilliance Shines
Hendrix led all scorers with 34 kills across both matches, recording double-doubles in each. Young’s performance was historic; her 15 kills against Rice set a career high, accompanied by 11 total blocks and a .583 hitting percentage in that match alone. Gibson, returning from a season-ending injury last year, contributed 22 kills at a .413 clip. Alice Volpe provided stability in the back row with 18 digs, notably playing against her mother, Rice head coach Genny Volpe. This collective effort set the stage for Big 12 play, which opens next Friday against Cincinnati.
