Road trip to experience
Volley Frogs face Nevada and No. 2 Hawaii

When head volleyball coach Sandy Troudt began her practice Tuesday afternoon she didn’t once mention the two upcoming road games, except to remind the team to bring their swimsuits.

Troudt said she wants the team to relax and enjoy the experience and not focus too much on who they are playing.

“I think we’ll maintain our serving, blocking and defense, which we’ve improved on,” Troudt said. “Though we will also need to have good ball control and pass well.”

Thursday night the Volley Frogs will play at Nevada, before traveling to Hawaii to face the USA Today/American Volleyball Coaches Association No. 2-ranked Rainbow Wahine on Sunday.

Since Nevada is new to the Western Athletic Conference this season, the past few days Troudt has been reviewing game tapes of the Wolf Pack’s previous matches. She also said she hopes her team can overlook the distractions involved with playing a premier program like Hawaii.

“It’s hard to focus on Nevada, especially because I have no expectations of them,” sophomore outside hitter/defensive specialist Jennifer Cuca said. “But I think we’ll get through the weekend with a lot more experience.”

Troudt said Nevada is playing well this season, despite a record of 4-9, 1-2 in conference. She said she considers Nevada the best WAC opponent they will have played thus far — until they face Hawaii. Troudt said she hopes the team can stay consistent throughout the entire match and stay strong mentally.

“(Nevada) is really powerful in the middle,” Troudt said. “I think they’ll be a handful. It should be a dogfight.”

No matter what happens in Reno, Nev., Troudt said there is nothing that will change what will be awaiting the Volley Frogs when they arrive in Honolulu to face a 12-0 Hawaii team.

“Volleyball is huge in Honolulu,” Troudt said. “As soon as we walk off the plane, every waitress, server, and luggage handler will know we came to play in the match. Little girls will come up to (senior outside hitter) Amy (Atamanczuk) and know her name.”

Troudt said circumstances, such as being famous for a weekend, obviously make it difficult for the team to focus on the actual game. However, freshman middle blocker Courtney Beach said her first match in Hawaii will be a valuable opportunity for development.

“It’s an awesome chance, and I’m excited about it,” Beach said. “We’re hoping to stay in the game and really compete with them.”

Despite the imposing challenge, Atamanczuk said the team is prepared to play its usual game.

“If we can win at least one game against Hawaii, that should mean we can win three,” Atamanczuk said.

Colleen Casey
c.m.casey@student.tcu.edu.

By Matt Stiver
skiff staff

It may not get much publicity. USA Today hasn’t written a story featuring its exploits.

Yet coaches say the TCU defense, which toils in relative anonymity, is a major reason why the Frogs are currently undefeated and ranked No. 14 in the nation.

“We don’t really pay attention to stats or national rankings,” head coach Dennis Franchione said. “Our motto is ‘one more point,’ and our defense has put us in a position to win every game.”

While others may not pay attention, the Frogs have compiled some impressive numbers.

The TCU defense ranks among the top five in four national categories this season. The Frogs rank No. 1 in scoring defense (6.75 points per game), No. 1 in passing efficiency, No. 2 in total defense (199.75 yards per game, only 0.55 yards behind Clemson) and No. 4 in passing defense (119.25 yards per game).

Defensive coordinator Gary Patterson said he had a feeling before the season began that his defensive unit would be a strong one.

“The kids worked hard in spring, and it’s starting to show,” Patterson said.

Facing both run-oriented teams and pass-happy ones, the TCU defense has still managed to perform well.
One week after the Frogs held Northwestern to 14 points and 145 yards, the Wildcats blitzed then-No. 3 Wisconsin for 47 points and 544 yards.

One week later, the Wildcats hung 37 points and 500 yards on then No. 18 Michigan State. Northwestern’s Damien Anderson rushed for 219 yards against the Spartans. The Frogs held him to 90.

“Look at how some of the teams we’ve played have performed in recent weeks.” Franchione said. “I think it’s a credit to our defense.”

Against Navy on Saturday, the TCU defense made sure a 24-0 final score was not indicative of the game.

he Frogs held Navy to 120 yards and only allowed the Midshipmen into TCU territory twice, ensuring a first quarter field goal would be all the offense TCU would need.

Senior safety Curtis Fuller said the quality of the defense lies in its ability to play within Patterson’s system.

“We do the little things, like staying in our base coverage, to win games,” Fuller said. “We come out every week (in practice) and make sure we don’t do things to beat ourselves.”

Franchione said the speed and athleticism of the unit’s athletes have allowed the defense to perform at a high level.

“There have been a few times where an opposing player looked like he might break out for a long gain, but then we just swarmed,” Franchione said. “Speed is definitely a strength for us. It’s not the whole story, but it’s a big part.”

Despite four solid performances, Fuller said the defense has not reached its potential.

“I don’t really think we’ve really played as well as we’re capable yet,” Fuller said. “We haven’t put four solid quarters together.”

Matt Stiver
m.r.stiver@student.tcu.edu.

By J.R. Ross
Associated Press

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin suspended three basketball players Wednesday, including two from its Final Four team, for eight games for receiving unadvertised discounts at a shoe store.

Men’s basketball players Maurice Linton and Travon Davis and women’s player Krista Bird must sit out the first eight games this season, close their open accounts at the Shoe Box and repay more than $500 in benefits they each received to restore their eligibility, the school said.

Another 37 winter and spring student-athletes who received extra benefits at the store won’t miss any games. But they must close out their accounts and repay the amount of the extra benefit to a local charity.

Sixteen of those athletes who received benefits of between $100 and $299 also must perform 24 hours of community service. They include Roy Boone, Andy Kowske and Mark Vershaw, all senior starters on the men’s basketball team.

Fellow starter Mike Kelley received extra benefits of less than $100 and will only have to close his account and make a donation to charity.

The university’s action Wednesday brings the number of Badgers athletes disciplined for receiving substantial discounts on shoes and clothing at the Shoe Box to 121.

In August, 26 football players received suspensions ranging from one to three games for the discounts they received. Also, a women’s soccer player was suspended for two games as part of the investigation that began after a report in the Wisconsin State Journal this summer detailing purchases by eight members of the Badgers’ Final Four basketball team and 14 players from the Rose Bowl champion football team.

The newspaper reported players received discounts of 25 percent to 40 percent and interest-free credit.

Linton, who averaged 4.5 points and 2.7 rebounds, is expected to be the team’s starting small forward. Davis averaged 2.1 points last season and likely will be the backup point guard.

They must serve their suspensions within the opening eight games, not counting exhibition games. But the university has appealed to the NCAA to allow the suspensions to be staggered over the first half of the season, 13 games.

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