The TCU women’s basketball team is set to return to action after a challenging week that saw the cancellation of games due to a shortage of players caused by injuries. The Horned Frogs, who started the season with an impressive 14-0 record, faced setbacks with a four-game losing streak as injuries plagued the team.
In response to the depleted roster, TCU decided to cancel scheduled matchups against Kansas State and Iowa State. The team found itself in a dire situation, prompting the decision to hold tryouts to recruit new players and bolster the roster.
The aftermath of the tryouts led to the addition of four new players, marking a significant reshaping of the team. Among the newcomers is Sarah Sylvester, a sophomore volleyball player who had previously helped the Horned Frogs’ volleyball team reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2022 and 2023. Sylvester, originally from Michigan, also brings high school basketball experience to the team.
In addition to Sylvester, TCU finalized its revamped roster with three players discovered during the open tryouts. The new recruits include Piper Davis, a freshman guard who played a pivotal role in leading Timberline High School in Idaho to a state championship in 2022; Ella Hamlin, another freshman guard with an impressive high school career at Grandbury High School in Texas, earning recognition as the district offensive player of the year in 2022 and 2023; and Mekhayia Moore, a sophomore guard from Brownsboro High School in Texas, who contributed to a state championship in 2022 and was named the state championship MVP.
The challenges that led to the roster shakeup were primarily attributed to a string of injuries within the TCU program. Senior center Sedona Prince detailed her own injury, a shattered ring finger suffered against Baylor on January 3, sidelining her for seven weeks. The team faced additional setbacks when starting guard Jaden Owens suffered a torn ACL and meniscus during the January 13 matchup at Houston, ending her season and college career. Center DaiJa Turner also underwent season-ending surgery on her left ankle.
In a TikTok video, Sedona Prince revealed that four other unnamed players were unable to play due to injuries, and another player left the team to attend to family matters. These circumstances left the team with only six available players before the recent additions.
Despite the adversity, TCU is now preparing to return to action and will host UCF on Tuesday night. The additions to the roster bring a mix of experience, talent, and fresh energy, providing the team with an opportunity to regroup and face the remainder of the season with renewed determination.
The Horned Frogs expressed gratitude for the new recruits and emphasized their commitment to the health and safety of their student-athletes. The challenges faced by the team underscore the resilience required in collegiate sports, and TCU aims to navigate the rest of the season with a strengthened and unified squad.