UTEP volleyball faced a difficult test against No. 13 TCU, with the Horned Frogs earning a four-set victory to continue their strong start to the season.
TCU defeated the Miners 25-13, 22-25, 25-18, 25-12, securing its fifth consecutive win and improving to 7-2 on the season. UTEP struggled to maintain consistency against TCU’s defense and attacking pressure throughout the match.
TCU Controls the Match Against UTEP
The Horned Frogs established control early, taking the opening set 25-13. UTEP responded in the second set, winning 25-22 to level the match and give the Miners momentum.
TCU regained control in the third set, winning 25-18, before closing out the match with a dominant 25-12 fourth-set performance.
The Horned Frogs’ offense was led by Evan Hendrix, who recorded 17 kills while hitting .333. Becca Kelley added 13 kills, while middle blocker Kinsley Young contributed eight kills on an impressive .533 hitting percentage.
UTEP Faces Strong Defensive Pressure
One of the biggest challenges for UTEP was TCU’s defensive performance at the net. The Horned Frogs held the Miners to a .109 team hitting percentage.
De’Andrea McMillan led TCU with seven total blocks, while Jalyn Gibson added five blocks and 10 digs. Gibson and Rosemary Archer each recorded two service aces.
TCU also received strong contributions from its back row. Archer finished with 31 assists and a team-high 14 digs, earning a double-double. Hendrix also recorded a double-double after adding 10 digs to her 17-kill performance.
Reese Wilburn contributed 11 assists, while Molly McCarthy added nine digs as TCU maintained pressure on UTEP throughout the four-set contest.
UTEP Unable to Build on Second-Set Win
The second set provided UTEP with its strongest stretch of the match. After dropping the opener, the Miners responded with a 25-22 victory and briefly shifted the momentum.
However, TCU quickly answered in the third set. The Horned Frogs limited UTEP’s attacking efficiency and opened the door for another strong offensive showing.
The fourth set proved decisive, with TCU pulling away for a 25-12 victory to finish the match in four sets.
TCU Continues Its Strong Start
The victory moved No. 13 TCU to 7-2 and marked the Horned Frogs’ fifth straight win at the time of the match. The result also highlighted the team’s balance between attacking production, blocking and back-row defense.
For UTEP, the match offered a challenging opportunity against a nationally ranked opponent. The Miners will look to use the experience as they continue their season and work toward greater consistency on offense.
The UTEP volleyball matchup against TCU ultimately belonged to the Horned Frogs, who combined efficient hitting and strong defense to secure the 25-13, 22-25, 25-18, 25-12 victory.
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