Sept. 5, 2009
Final Stats
STORRS, Conn. - Behind an outstanding effort from seniors
Kourtney Edwards and
Lauren Otto, the TCU Horned Frogs claimed the UConn Toyota Classic title with a thrilling 3-2 (23-25, 25-18, 26-28, 25-21, 15-13) victory over UConn Saturday night. Edwards took home tournament MVP honors after tallying her third straight match with double-digit kills, finishing with 16. Otto picked up her second double-double of the season with 17 kills and 11 digs.
The Frogs offense saw four Frogs reach double-digits in kills. Kristen Hester finished with 10 and posted seven blocks. Irene Hester rounded out the quad with 13 kills. Edwards finished with a match-high nine blocks. Megan Munce picked up her fourth double-double of the season with 50 assists and 14 digs. Katelyn Blackwood led all defenders with 23 digs.
An exciting match culminated in a fifth-set battle that saw both teams battle back from deficits. The Huskies stormed out to a 6-3 lead only to see TCU fight back to tie the set at six. Irene Hester started the rally with a kill and Kristen Hester and Munce put up a strong block to tie the match. Kristen Hester put the Frogs on top with another kill.
UConn fought back to take a 12-11 lead, forcing a TCU timeout. Out of the break, Otto tied the set with a cross court blast and Edwards put the Frogs on top with a loud kill down the middle. A Munce kill gave the Frogs set point and Otto finished off the 15-13 win.
Facing a 2-1 deficit, the Frogs put together a solid effort in the fourth set to force the deciding fifth set. Irene Hester got a kill to open the fourth set and the Frogs would never trail. Edwards was a force in the set with three kills and a solo block that helped the Frogs to the 25-21 victory.
UConn was able to take the 2-1 match lead, winning two hotly contested games in the first and third sets. In the first, the Frogs staved off four set points, pulling within 24-23 on an Otto ace before the Huskies finally locked up the 25-23 win.
After trailing 5-1 in the second set, the Frogs went on a furious 11-2 rally to take a lead they would never relinquish. Kristen Hester put the Frogs on top, 7-6, and the Frogs cruised from there.
The Huskies got back within two, 16-14, but Otto staunched the UConn rally with a tip over the blockers. The kill spurred a 5-0 run that opened the set up. Irene Hester tied the match with a blast off the block to lock up the 25-18 win.
UConn took the match lead in hotly contested third set. The Frogs stormed out to a 7-2 lead in the set but the Huskies stormed to take a 12-11 lead.
TCU did manage to work its way to a set point at 26-25 on a kill by Irene Hester, but a service error put the control back in the hands of Connecticut and it ended the set on a 3-0 run.
In addition to Edwards' MVP honors, Munce and Irene Hester also earned MVP honors.
The Frogs (5-2) stay on the road as they head to Dallas for a match-up against SMU on Tuesday night. Match time is slated for a 7 p.m. start at Moody Coliseum.
