Aug. 9, 2007
FORT WORTH, Texas - The 2007 Volleyball season got under way Wednesday morning with the start of fall practice. The Frogs are practicing twice a day for the next week and a half leading up to the Alumni game on Aug. 19. The Frogs return nine letterwinners from a team that finished with its third winning season in the last four years in 2006. They will welcome two newcomers to the squad as well.
Here is a position-by-position breakdown of the 2007 Horned Frogs:
The Setter
TCU will run a more traditional version of the 6-2 offense in 2007. Nirelle Hampton returns for her junior campaign and has been the Frogs' primary setter each of the last two seasons. She will fill a similar role again this season, but will split the duties with senior Loren Barry
Barry will return to a position she spent playing as a freshman. She has seen limited action there the past two season, but will have more of a role this season. Her strong defensive ability and vision on the court will help keep the Frogs in matches.
Both have steadily climbed the career assists charts. Hampton ranks third all-time, while Barry is fifth.
Outside Hitter
The Frogs have good depth at the outside hitter position, returning two starters. LeMeita Smith had an impressive junior campaign and will anchor the group. She cracked the Top 10 on the all-time kills list and could make a significant climb in her final season.
Devon Kirk battled injuries in the fall, but had an impressive spring season. She could make a significant push for playing time.
Lauren Otto saw a lot of playing time as a true freshman and put up some big numbers.
Newcomer Irene Hester could see some reps at the position in 2007.
Middle Blocker
The departure of Anna Vaughn to graduation has left a hole in the front court, but the emergence of Kourtney Edwards last season has lessened the loss of Vaughn. Edwards paced the team in blocking with over 100 in her freshman campaign.
Devon Kirk and LeMeita Smith will also provide depth at the position. Both could have a tremendous impact on the game with their ability to put up a solid block.
A talented incoming freshman, Christy Hudson could make an immediate impact this season. She will provide some more height to the front row.
Right Side
Emily Allen's graduation left a big hole on the right side, but the coaching staff hopes to have found someone who will be able to step in and fill that void.
Making a push for increased playing time this season will be junior Gabi McHugh. She showed some promise at the position in a back-up role in 2006. An injury kept her sidelined in spring matches but she has worked hard to get back to full strength this summer.
Christy Hudson has the height and the talent to step in and make a contribution as a true freshman. She was ranked by Prep Volleyball as one of the Top 100 seniors in the country last year.
Defensive Specialist
The defensive side of the game looks to be the strength of the 2007 squad. A trio of starters return in Calli Corley, Loren Barry and Katelyn Blackwood. All three had a tremendous spring and should continue that trend in 2007.
Corley was the libero in every game in 2006 and should get the nod again. She is on pace to set the all-time career record for digs.
Barry has always been a strong defensive player for TCU and, along with her setting duties, will again be counted on for her defense.
Blackwood was one of the best servers on the squad and showed she could dig balls all over the court.
The Frogs first match of the season is slated for Aug. 24 against Florida Gulf Coast in Tallahassee, Fla.
