Preview: No. 19 UCLA – TCU Athletics

FORT WORTH – Volleyball is again in Schollmaier Arena. No. 24 TCU returns dwelling to host No. 19 UCLA in a pair of top-25 showdowns on Friday, Sept. 5, and Saturday, Sept. 6, at 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. CT, respectively.

TCU NOTABLES

• TCU is coming off its finest win of the Jason Williams Era. The Horned Frogs defeated the defending nationwide champions, No. 5 Penn State, in an emotional five-set thriller on Monday on the State Farm Volleyball Showcase.

• After starting the season ranked for the primary time in program historical past, TCU moved as much as No. 24 within the AVCA/TARAFLEX Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

• The Frogs are within the midst of a stretch of 5 straight matches in opposition to ranked opponents to open the season, together with three within the high 10.

• TCU hosts No. 19 UCLA for the second straight season. The Frogs gained final 12 months’s matchup in Fort Worth, 3-1.

• The Frogs had been lights out on the service line in week one, tallying 19 aces. They rank forty third nationally with 2.11 per set.

• Senior Jalyn Gibson was voted to the Preseason All-Big 12 crew by the league’s head coaches.

• TCU returns 5 starters and 10 letterwinners from a season in the past, together with its stat chief in blocks (Sarah Sylvester, 146) and digs (Gibson, 330). The Frogs additionally welcomed eight newcomers (4 freshmen and 4 transfers).

• Heading into the 2025 season, TCU was picked to complete fifth within the Big 12 Conference, receiving one first place vote.

SCOUTING REPORT

Coming into the weekend ranked No. 19, UCLA boasts a 1-1 file. The Bruins opened their 2025 season on the highway at Long Beach, profitable 3-2 earlier than dropping a four-set match at Pepperdine. UCLA was picked to complete fifth within the Big Ten Volleyball Preseason Poll. Additionally, 4 Bruins earned spots on the 20-member Big Ten Volleyball Preseason All-Conference Team, tying Nebraska for essentially the most picks within the league. Outside hitters Cheridyn Leverette and Maggie Li joined center blockers Marianna Singletary and Phekran Kong in receiving preseason honors.

UPCOMING MILESTONES

• Sarah Sylvester is 5 blocks shy of passing Mattie Burleson (340, 2011-14) for sixth within the TCU all-time blocks record.

LIKE A GOOD NEIGHBOR

• TCU opened its 2025 season on the State Farm College Volleyball Showdown in Pittsburg in opposition to two Final Four groups from a 12 months in the past.

• The Frogs confirmed flashes in opposition to No. 3 Pitt, profitable the second set, however in the end fell 1-3 within the match.

• The following day, TCU bounced again, profitable an emotional five-set battle over the defending nationwide champions, No. 5 Penn State.

DON’T CALL IT AN UPSET

• Playing in entrance of over 5,000 followers, No. 24 TCU overcame adversity to win an emotional five-set battle over the defending nationwide champions, No. 5 Penn State.

• The Horned Frogs had been firing on all cylinders, taking the primary two units in dominant vogue. Just as they had been trying to make an announcement and sweep the Nittany Lions, senior captain Jalyn Gibson went down with an harm and was helped off the courtroom.

• Penn State was capable of finding its footing and even the match, forcing a fifth set, however TCU rallied behind Gibson and gritted out the victory.

• It marks the second-highest ranked win in class historical past and first over a top-5 crew since 2015 (vs. No. 2 Texas).

• It can also be the most effective win of the Jason Williams Era at TCU, because the Frogs’ head coach picked up his first profession win over a top-5 opponent.

• TCU held Penn State to its lowest hitting proportion as a crew since Nov. 9, 2024, when the Nittany Lions hit .000 at Wisconsin.

SERVING IT UP

• One of the keys to TCU’s opening weekend success was its presence on the service line.

• The Frogs recorded 19 aces over the 2 matches, together with 11 in opposition to No. 5 Penn State.

• TCU’s 2.11 aces per set rank forty third nationally and fourth within the Big 12.

FRESH FACES

• Four Horned Frogs made their TCU debuts over the weekend.

• Lauren Murphy began and completed with 10 kills on 14 swings for a career-high .571 clip in her first match in purple.

• Setters Ella Foti and Rosemary Archer break up time guiding the offense with a mixed 10.11 assists per set.

• True freshman Samara Coleman made her collegiate debut in opposition to No. 3 Pitt and tallied her first kill and ace within the win over No. 5 Penn State.

• Assistant coach Keith Smith additionally made his debut, working with the setters and offense.

HOME SWEET HOME

• TCU went 14-1 at dwelling in Schollmaier Arena final 12 months, tied for essentially the most wins at dwelling in program historical past in a single season.

• The lone loss got here by the hands of No. 14 Arizona State (9/25/24).

• TCU has gained eight straight matches on its dwelling courtroom courting again to final season.

• Jason Williams is 31-12 at dwelling throughout his tenure as a head coach.

For all the newest TCU volleyball information, comply with the Frogs on X at @TCUVolleyball, on Instagram at @tcuvolleyball and on Facebook at TCU Volleyball.