Fort Worth, Texas – Villanova was unable to complete the sweep in Texas, dropping the final match in Fort Worth to TCU by a score of 3-1. It was a close match throughout, with a total of 34 ties and 15 lead changes across the four-set contest.
 
"We played really hard," said head coach Josh Steinbach. "It's a good volleyball environment and a fun match to be a part of."
 
It was a game of runs in set one. TCU repeatedly built small leads, but Villanova had the answer each time to tie it up. However, the Wildcats were unable to break through and gain much a lead of their own, and left the door open for the Horned Frogs to take the first set 25-23.
 
It was a similar story in set two for the Wildcats. After trailing 10-6, they put together a five-point run, led by kills from Remy Fairchild and Allie Olsonoski to take an 11-10 lead. It was neck-and-neck the rest of the way through the set, with neither team able to give themselves more than a two-point cushion through the middle portion of the set. Villanova pulled away when it mattered, thanks to some key late contributions from Sanaä Barnes, and won the set 25-21.
 
The third set was somehow even closer than the first two, with 10 ties and five lead changes during the set. The Wildcats fought to tie the game at 20-20, but that was as close as they got in the set, and TCU closed it out with three straight kills to go up two sets to one and put the Wildcats on the ropes.
 
Villanova didn't go quietly in the fourth set, another close one with seven ties, but were unable to close it out and force the fifth set. The Wildcats led 19-15 before surrendering an untimely 9-1 run to the Horned Frogs. From there, Audrey Nalls was able to finish the job for TCU by slamming home her 20^th kill of the day on her 50^th attack and give the Horned Frogs a 25-22 victory.
 
"Offensively we were very good, just broke down in a couple areas late in the match," said Coach Steinbach. "It's one I hope we can learn from."
 
The Wildcats hit a higher percentage on the day at .248 to TCU's .221, but 17 service errors proved to be costly. Mallory Potts and Fairchild led the way with 11 and 10 kills, respectively. Olsonoski added nine kills and Barnes contributed eight.
 
Emma Decker had another solid day setting, dishing out 36 assists. Regan Lough had 21 digs on the day, putting her over 20 for the second consecutive match.  The Wildcats showed the ability to get blocks again, as Barnes had seven total blocks, Olsonoski had five and Sophia Howling had four.
 
Villanova will get the week off before hitting the road again next weekend to head to Smithfield, Rhode Island for the Bryant Invitational. The Wildcats will take on both North Dakota and Marist on Friday, and Bryant on Saturday as part of the upcoming event.