Killer Frogs

TCU Beach Volleyball: Three Frogs Medal University World Championships

Alvarez and Moreno earn silver; Gonzalez earns bronze
Barry Lewis|
TCU Athletics

After a very successful 2022 season last spring, the TCU women’s beach volleyball team continued their hot streak during the offseason. Three members of the team, Daniela Alvarez, Tania Moreno, and Maria Gonzalez, competed at the FISU University World Championships in Brazil earlier this month. All three came home with medals.

Alvarez and Moreno, playing together, took silver representing Spain, while Gonzalez earned bronze representing Puerto Rico.

On day one of the tournament, Gonzalez notched two victories against Slovakia and Poland, both in straight sets. Alvarez and Moreno also claimed their first straight-set victory of the week against a United States pairing.

Both pairings went on to win their next matches to secure their place in the quarterfinals. Gonzales defeated the Czech Republic pairing in straight sets, while Alvarez and Moreno notched their second straight set victory of the tournament against Brazil.

Entering the quarterfinals, Gonzalez secured Puerto Rico’s spot in the semifinals with her 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic. Alvarez and Moreno defeated Brazil in straight sets to land Spain a spot in the semis.

Both Horned Frog pairings faced off in the semifinals to move to the championships. Alvarez and Moreno defeated Gonzalez, 2-0, to secure their spot in the finals.

Gonzalez defeated Germany to earn bronze, and Alvarez and Moreno placed second in the finals against the USA.

“We need to congratulate the girls because what they did was a tremendous accomplishment, head coach Hector Gutierrez said. “Going to the university world championships and earning a medal isn’t easy. We sent three athletes, and three of them medaled, which speaks volumes of the caliber of these three players and our program.”

“The girls showed off their strength and showed that they are amongst some of the best players in the world at the university level,” Gutierrez said. “We are extremely happy for what they did. We were the only school that sent three players, and all three earned a medal. We are excited for them, and we are really excited about what they are going to do this year.”

Want to join the discussion? Click here to become a member of the Killer Frogs message board community today!

Follow KillerFrogs on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest TCU news! Follow KillerFrogs on Facebook and Instagram as well. Download the KillerFrogs app on Google Play or in the Apple App Store. 

Published
Barry Lewis
BARRY LEWIS

Barry is the managing editor/publisher of TCU Horned Frogs On SI and oversees a team of 15+ writers, photographers, and podcasters covering all 22 of TCU’s sports. He writes on football, basketball (men’s and women’s), baseball, men’s tennis, and other sports as needed. His weekly articles include Big 12 Power Rankings and Poll Watching during the football, basketball, and baseball seasons. He is a frequent guest on one of the many podcasts that TCU Horned Frogs On SI writers host covering football, baseball, basketball, and other sports. Barry is a member of the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA), and National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA). He has represented TCU Horned Frogs On SI at the 2022 Fiesta Bowl, the 2023 College Football National Championship, the 2023 College World Series, the 2024 NCAA Men’s Tennis National Championship, Big 12 Football Media Days, and Big 12 Basketball Media Days. Barry has followed TCU sports since the Jim Wacker days. He is an avid sports fan and traveler, and he loves any opportunity to see a sporting event in person. He has been to 18 of the 30 MLB ballparks, experienced game day at 25 college football stadiums, seen 21 NFL stadiums, and been to 16 bowl games.

Share on XFollow barryrlewis
Home/More Sports