Volleyball struggles in season opening series at Baylor

While Mad Max and TCU football were gouging out the eyes of Texas, TCU volleyball got their season kicked off in Waco. Unfortunately, the outcome for the Volley Frogs was not quite as pretty.

The Frogs were swept on back-to-back days by the second-ranked Bears, as they were outscored a resounding 150-92 over the course of the weekend.

Game 1

Preseason All-Big 12 middle blocker Katie Clark put up her 28^th career-double digit kill match, but the Bears were too strong for the Frogs on TCU’s opening night of the 2020 season.

“We’re thankful that we’ve been given the opportunity to compete and appreciate all of the effort that so many people have put in to make that happen,” TCU head coach Jill Kramer said. “Although we didn’t get the result we wanted tonight, we get another crack at Baylor tomorrow.”

Along with the fact that Baylor is annually one of the nation’s top teams, the Bears had already had a weekend to find their rhythm. Last week, they split their season-opening series at Kansas.

This was pretty clear early, as the Bears took an early 9-4 lead in the first set and wouldn’t look back. Seven of Clark’s kills had been in the opening set alone, but she was basically alone, as the Frogs lost 25-19.

Per typical for a Kramer-led team, TCU refused to lay over in the second set. The Frogs took a 6-5 lead early thanks to a powerful 5-0 run. Thanks to five digs from rookie Kate Georgiades, TCU was able to keep plays alive and tie the score at 18.

Baylor then went on a 7-1 run to take the second set and a 2-0 match lead. This momentum carried them to a dominant 25-12 win in the third set to finish the sweep.

TCU had hit a measly .140 in the match compared to .400 from Baylor.

Game 2

Looking to bounce back, TCU came out swinging in the second game. Middle blocker MyKayla Meyers tied her career-high with three kills, and the scored was dead even at 10-10 midway through the first set.

All Baylor needed as a little spark, though, and they popped off on a 15-7 run to take a 1-0 match lead.

The Bears took over in the next two sets, winning both easily. The Frogs were challenging points and extending plays, but Baylor continually kept momentum on their side through hard hitting.

With only four kills from Clark in the match, TCU struggled to get their offense going at any point. The Frogs hit just -.020 on Saturday.

Over the course of the weekend, setter McKenzie Nichols totaled 48 assists, one of the few bright spots for TCU.

Baylor’s Yossiana Pressley was outstanding in the series, recording 26 kills combined in the two games.

“Hats off to Baylor for a great performance today,” head coach Jill Kramer said. “We are looking forward to getting back in the gym and prepping for our home opener in Schollmaier Arena on Thursday.”

TCU will look to get their first win of the season in their home opener on Thursday against Texas Tech. The first-ever volleyball match in Schollmaier Arena will see its first serve at 5 p.m.