No. 16 TCU Defeats No. 24 Baylor in Five Sets
The No. 16 Horned Frogs edged out the No. 24 Bears in a competitive five-set match held in Waco.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Volleyball
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No. 16 TCU secured a hard-fought victory over No. 24 Baylor on Friday, winning 25-27, 25-21, 21-25, 25-15, 15-8. The loss drops Baylor to an overall record of 13-7 and a 5-5 mark in Big 12 conference play.
Why it matters
The result significantly impacts the conference standings, as TCU improves to 7-2 in Big 12 play while Baylor struggles to find consistency in tight matchups. This defeat marks another five-set outcome for the Bears, who now hold a 3-2 record in such scenarios this season.
Ksenia Rakhmanchik recorded 23 kills in the match, while Isabella Haggard contributed 47 assists and 10 digs. Baylor struggled in the decisive fifth set, committing six kills with five errors on 26 attempts.
The players
Ryan McGuyre
He serves as the head coach of the Baylor volleyball team.
Ksenia Rakhmanchik
She is a key player for the team who recorded 23 kills during this contest.
Isabella Haggard
She is a student-athlete who recorded 47 assists and 10 digs in the match.
The details
The match was marked by intense back-and-forth play, including a notable moment when Baylor head coach Ryan McGuyre received a red card during the third set. Despite holding TCU to a .045 hitting percentage in the fourth set, Baylor could not maintain momentum in the final frame.
Timeline
The match between TCU and Baylor took place on October 31, 2026.
Baylor faces No. 15 Kansas at 6 p.m. on the following Thursday.
Season Trajectory
This loss complicates Baylor's position in the 2026 Big 12 volleyball conference standings, hindering their climb toward the top tier of the league. The result forces the team to quickly regroup ahead of a challenging road test against No. 15 Kansas next week.
Baylor now holds a 5-5 conference record, placing them in a precarious position for late-season playoff seeding. Their ability to secure a win against a ranked opponent like Kansas is now critical to improving their Big 12 standing.
The takeaway
Consistent performance in the final set remains a critical area for improvement for the Bears following this loss. Fans and players alike should look for adjustments in rotation and offensive execution as the team prepares for their next away game.
What happens next
Baylor is scheduled to play No. 15 Kansas at the Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena in Lawrence, Kansas, on the following Thursday at 6 p.m.
Further reading
For more news on local matches and team updates, visit the Volleyball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Baylor Lariat - The official student news source.
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