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Volleyball in full practice mode
Aug. 12, 2008
FORT WORTH, Texas - The 2008 TCU volleyball season got underway this past weekend as the team opened up fall workouts Saturday morning. They are six practices into the season and will continue two-a-days through Aug. 21 leading up to the Alumni match on Aug. 23. The 2008 season promises to be a good one as the Frogs return seven letterwinners from a 22-win team a year ago. They also welcome a talented crop of seven newcomers. The following is a position by position breakdown of the 2008 volleyball team: Setter Nirelle Hampton could finish out her career in the Purple and White as the most successful setter statistically in school history. She is currently two service aces away from being the all-time leader and needs just 216 assists to move to the top of the charts. A pair of freshman will get their feet wet at the position this season as TCU builds for the future. Jess Menden is a highly decorated setter out of Minnesota, while Megan Munce is a talented lefty from California. Both earned numerous accolades nationally in high school. Outside Hitter The departure of LeMeita Smith has left a hole in the Frog lineup, but TCU has a formidable pair of returners as well as two talented newcomers who hope to fill the void. Lauren Otto is just shy of cracking the Top 10 on the kills chart. Sophomore Irene Hester gained valuable experience as a freshman when injuries hit. A trip overseas to play in a tournament this past summer garnered the sophomore even more experience. Newcomers Sarah Joeckel and Megan Munce will provide depth at the position and could see some playing time on the outside as true freshmen. Middle Blocker The Frogs are loaded at middle blocker, returning one of the top percentage hitters in the league in Kourtney Edwards along with Devon Kirk. Edwards has been impressive in her first two collegiate campaigns and is on pace to leave TCU as the all-time blocks leader. Kirk also provides another solid blocker in the front, finishing second on the team. Pushing the returning duo will be a pair of freshmen. Hannah Fort comes in after an impressive high school career, while Kristen Hester reunites on the court with her sister, Irene. Hester gained valuable international experience this past summer. Right Side This appears to be one of the deepest positions on the team. After spending the majority of her freshman campaign on the right side, Christy Hudson will anchor the group. Hudson provides accuracy, with a .312 hitting percentage and averaged 2.04 kills per game. Looking to gain experience on the collegiate level, a quartet of newcomers could get their feet wet on the right side. Megan Munce and Hannah Fort are penciled in to see playing time, while walk-on Kylie Pont could also see some action. Defensive Specialist Calli Corley's departure leaves a big hole, but opens up opportunities for others. Katelyn Blackwood is the most experience of the group and could see significant time as the libero. Pushing her for a spot in the back court are four talented newcomers. Sarah Joeckel and Jess Menden were Prep Volleyball All-Americans, while Megan Munce was ranked as one of the Top 250 recruits by the publication. Joining the team in the spring and earning a roster spot was Victoria Hernandez, who is a defensive specialist. The Schedule The 2007 season produced the second-best team in school history and 2008 looks like it could be better. A great freshman class added to a talented group of returners has the staff excited. Four tournaments highlight the preseason, including three on the road. TCU will face stiff competition in all four tourney's leading to another challenging slate of conference matches. TCU will play five matches against BCS schools, including three against Big 12 opponents. The Mountain West Conference was ranked as the fourth-toughest league in the nation in 2007. In addition, three matches will be televised to a national television audience. The Frogs will first appear on TV on Oct. 23 at home against San Diego State. The Mtn. will carry the match live from the University Rec Center. A meeting with BYU in Provo, Utah on Oct. 23 will air live on BYU-TV. The final TV match of the season for the Frogs comes on Nov. 2 at Utah. The match will air on CBS College Sports.
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