UMKC brings home a win from Texas

The Roos had a slow start to the weekend, but ended on a happy note.

UMKC traveled to Fort Worth, Texas, to participate in the Texas Christian University (TCU) Molten/Nike Invitational Friday and Saturday evenings.

While the Roos dropped the first two matches - one against Belmont University (BU) [(23-25), (21-25), (17-25)] and another against the tournament host TCU [(16-25), (17-25), (19-25)] - the Roos came back to win the game against Louisiana Tech University (LTU) [(25-22), (25-18), (25-22)].

"I think the first two teams [Belmont and TCU] are as good as any of the top two or three teams in our conference," said volleyball Head Coach Geno Frugoli. "And, Louisiana Tech would probably finish right in the middle of our conference. I felt like we took a step forward, and when we get into conference play we will be ready for a lot of those teams."

Two Roos also received honors at the invitational. Senior libero Mandy Tipton and sophomore middle and right side hitter Holly Schmidt made the all-Tournament team at the TCU Molten/Nick Invitational.

According to Frugoli, "Mandy and Holly were outstanding" throughout the tournament.

ebrogdon@unews.com

Match 1: Roos vs. Bruins

The Roos took on the BU Bruins first in the tournament. And, while UMKC fought to close game scores, it was the Bruins who took the victory Friday night.

In game one the Kangaroos and Bruins stayed close on the scoreboard until UMKC grabbed a 14-9 lead. When Belmont was about to tie the score at 15-14, the Roos surged ahead again, 19-14. But then the Bruins had a run of their own, taking the lead, and, moments later, the game as well with a final score of 25-23.

The second game started much like the first with tie after tie and short runs for each side. Both teams struggled to gain much headway until after the 19-19 mark. With only six more points needed to secure a win, it was a race to the finish, but it was the Bruins who took the second game (25-21).

BU began the third (and final) game with run after run. Jumping ahead 18-6, the Bruins secured a lead the Roos simply couldn't catch up to. UMKC, however, with a strong effort managed to climb 11 points before the game ended 25-17 in BU's favor.

Match 2: Roos vs. Frogs

Saturday afternoon, UMKC played a three-game match against TCU on the Frogs' home court.

"A lot of our freshmen were really nervous and we were just trying to feel it out," Frugoli said. "They are a very good team, so we had to learn a lot more continuity and be consistent under pressure and learn how to play our first big game. We just had to stick together and get used to each other and play at a higher level."

Though the TCU Frogs took game one in the end, the Roos held their own in the early part of the game, reaching a 6-6 tie.

The Frogs gained the lead and kept the Kangaroos trailing the rest of the game. After coming within one point of the Frogs, TCU hit a run leaving only 4 more points to take the win 21-14. The Roos managed to stave off defeat with two points, but the Frogs won the first game 25-16 moments later.

A similar scenario played out in game two. The Roos stayed strong in the beginning, but the Frogs again pushed ahead to a 12-6 lead. With the advantage, the Frogs were able to weather UMKC's 11 additional points and end the game 25-17.

The final game of the match began with the Frogs climbing the scoreboard with the first 5 points. But the Roos warmed up to take the lead, 6-5.

Shortly after, the Frogs reversed the situation, but UMKC did not let TCU get too far ahead. With the Kangaroos trailing by just six points, the game ended 25-19.

Match 3: Roos vs. Lady Techsters

The Kangaroos did not have time to dwell on the TCU loss as they prepared for the Louisiana Tech game scheduled right after TCU.

"I think that it was actually a bonus for us," Frugoli said of the close schedule of TCU and LTU. "Louisiana Tech had to sit around between matches and I know that if you looked at their body language and how they warmed up, they just didn't have as much energy as us."

UMKC took LTU in three games and their first victory of the tournament and of the season.

The Kangaroos jumped out to an early lead in the first game, but the trailing Lady Techsters managed to climb back to a 13-13 tie. Though the Roos regained the lead, the Lady Techsters stayed close behind, and LTU managed to tie the game again at 21-21.

With a solid final effort, however, UMKC closed out the game, 25-22.

In the second game, the Roos made their mark early and gained a point difference the Lady Techsters could not overcome. With run after run, the Roos took a 20-10 lead. Needing only five more points to end the second game, the Roos allowed a 3-8 run by LTU, bringing the score to 23-18. But then the Roos secured the last two points, winning the second game, 25-18.

Again, in game three, the Roos captured a strong 12-5 lead. In the game that would eventually end the match, the Lady Techsters fought hard to overcome the Roos. LTU stayed close throughout the game and even went ahead 18-17. The game tied 21-21 and UMKC played hard to the last minute slamming the ball to the court and taking the game and match 25-22.

"I feel like this win was a big confidence builder because we hadn't won a match yet, and the girls want to make sure what we are doing and all the hard work is going to pay off," Frugoli said. "We can leave the tournament on a good note. They knew that we were trying hard and getting better as the tournament went on. And then winning the last match always gives you a good feeling."

The Roos return home for a game tonight to raise awareness for Diabetes. The match against Wichita State starts at 7 p.m. at Swinney Recreation Center.