March 20, 2006
FORT WORTH, Texas -- The TCU volleyball team returned to the courts today for the first time since ending the 2005 season against eventual conference runner-up BYU. The Frogs begin six weeks of practice, which includes four competition dates as they prepare for the 2006 season.
"We are really excited and look forward to getting this season underway," stated TCU head coach Prentice Lewis. "We have six weeks of training and some great opponents along the way that should make for great competition."
Lewis returns a strong nucleus of talent, which includes rising senior Anna Vaughn and rising sophomore setter Nirelle Hampton who became only the second player in Horned Frogs' history to register a triple-double. The Gainesville, Fla., product recorded 41 assists, 15 digs and 11 kills in TCU's 3-1 victory over Air Force on Oct. 7.
"There is a lot of work to be done, but we are in great shape and we are going to work on technical aspects of the game," said Lewis. "It will be hard work and I want to push them to their limits."
TCU will get its first chance at real action on April 8 when it welcomes Baylor, North Texas, Oklahoma, SMU, Texas State and UT-Arlington to the University Rec Center for a round-robin tournament.
North Texas is the only TCU opponent from a season ago. On Sept. 27, the Frogs downed the Mean Green 3-0 in Fort Worth.
The Purple and White travel to Houston on April 15 to participate in the Texas Tornados Volleyball Tournament. The match should be a homecoming of sorts for Frog rising sophomore Devon Kirk, who hails from nearby Katy. Kirk finished her freshman season with 152 kills and 28 blocks.
Travels continue the following weekend with a trip to SMU on April 22. The Frogs are 3-9 all-time in the regular season versus the Mustangs and the two teams have not met since an Oct. 2, 2001, matchup in Dallas.
Waco marks the final trip for the Frogs during the spring as they take on the Baylor Bears, where associate head coach Jason Tanaka spent the 1998 and 1999 seasons as an assistant coach. Baylor owns a 3-0 series lead versus TCU with the last match coming during the 2000 season.
