by FORT WORTH – For the first time this season, five different Jayhawks chalked up double-digit kills as Kansas shot out a two-set lead inside TCU’s University Recreation Center Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately, it became the fifth-time this season that the Jayhawks saw a lead turn into in a five-set loss, 25-19, 25-18, 20-25, 23-25, 16-18.
The first meeting between Kansas (16-7, 4-5) and TCU (14-10, 4-6) came just two weeks ago, where the Jayhawks rattled off a season-high with a .408 attack percentage as a team. Looking to repeat the feat, the Jayhawks fired out to a 2-0 lead by hitting an impressive .431 through sets one and two. From there, the Horned Frogs showed why they’re an impressive 11-2 at home as they forced 31 Jayhawk attack errors in the next three sets.
KU’s hot hitting was wiped out with .000 attack percentages in both set three and set four before seven errors accounted for nearly half of TCU’s point in the decisive fifth set. Despite the error-plagued offense, Kansas still found itself sitting at 15-15 and 16-16 in the final frame, until the Horned Frogs closed the book on their improbable comeback.
“When you put yourself in a good situation on the road like we did in the first two sets, you have to carry through,” head coach Ray Bechard said. “We had six hitting errors in the first two sets and then 24 in sets three and four – just lack of focus. That’s a disappointing outcome and not the way we wanted to start the second-half of Big 12, but obviously there’s a lot we will learn from it. We will regroup and be ready to go on Wednesday.”
Sophomore middle blocker Tayler Soucie pounded out 13 kills and tied with junior outside hitter Tiana Dockery (Navajo) for the team lead with five blocks. Dockery’s 10 kills marked the fifth Jayhawks in double-digits on the afternoon, the first time the Jayhawks posted a performance like that since October 23, 2013 against Iowa State.
Kansas will come home to welcome Baylor to the Horejsi Family Athletics Center on Wednesday, Nov. 5. First serve is set for 6:30 p.m., and the match will air on Time Warner Cable SportsChannel.
