Matt Hellman | Lariat Photo Editor
Sports Writer
When TCU and Baylor last squared off in volleyball, it took a grueling five sets to narrowly decide a Baylor victory. This time in Fort Worth for the rematch between the two schools, Baylor decisively took care of business to earn a 3-0 sweep (25-21, 25-20, 25-21). The win gave the Bears back-to-back road sweeps after they defeated West Virginia in straight sets last Saturday.
The first set went back and forth with the teams tied at 10-10. Then Baylor senior middle hitter Torri Campbell went to the service line and earned four consecutive points for the bears. Both teams struggled with service receive in the first set, but Baylor earned 4.5 team blocks and limited TCU to only a .158 hitting percentage.
With senior setter Kate Harris’ serving and passing, the Bears started to assert themselves. Campbell and junior outside hitter Zoe Adom carried the Bears offensively down the stretch to lead the Bears to a 25-21 win in the first set.
The second set played out in competitive fashion. The Bears started to dominate the action at the net and Campbell and sophomore middle hitter Adri Nora were just too much for the Horned Frogs.
Behind a display of offensive skills from senior outside hitter Alyssa Dibbern, Adom, Campbell and Nora, the Bears won the second set 25-20. With the Bears eyeing road sweep in Big 12 play, the match went into the third set and the Bears picked up right where they left off from the first and second sets. Baylor jumped out to a quick 4-2 in part because of TCU’s mistakes and Nora’s offense.
The Horned Frogs showed their resilience and tied the third set at 4-4.
The Bears struggled some in service receive as TCU placed the ball well on their serves to take a 6-4 lead.
True freshman outside hitter Thea Munch-Soegaar also added a spark to the Bears with her serving and with her offense. TCU struggled to find open court with the Bears strong defensive play and dominating net presence. With their backs up against the wall and facing the threat of a sweep on its home court, TCU battled to take a healthy 12-8 lead. With Campbell’s serving, Baylor jumped right back into the game and only trailed by one point at 12-11. TCU led 14-11 until Adri Nora had a thundering kill.
TCU made some defensive adjustments and started rotating their middle hitter back behind the center line to counter Baylor’s offense.
The strategy worked and TCU held on with a 17-15 lead. Baylor led 19-18 after play from freshman libero Hope Ogden and Soegaard. With Baylor leading 20-18, TCU felt the pressure from Baylor and called timeout.
Campbell and Soegaard continued to contribute offensively and Baylor took a 21-19 lead.
Zoe Adom had 10 kills for the Bears and really stung TCU with her powerful, across-the-court kills.
Adom had an impressive kill to give the Bears a 23-21 lead. Behind the serving of Harris, Baylor gained another point to get to 24.
Then Torri Campbell sealed the deal with another kill to give Baylor the win and back to back road sweeps in Big 12 play.
The Bears swept West Virginia 3-0 on Saturday and on Wednesday night, swept TCU 3-0.
Baylor’s next match is at 1 p.m. on Saturday against Iowa State at the Ferrell Center.
