The following is a press release courtesy of Iowa State athletics communications.
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Iowa State volleyball team battled to get back from its two set deficit against No. 19 Minnesota, but fell short as the Gophers won 3-1 (25-16, 25-20, 20-25, 25-23) Saturday night at the Sports Pavilion. The loss dropped ISU to 5-3 on the season, while Minnesota improved to 7-1.
Turning Point of the Match
Iowa State started the match with two dropped sets at 25-16 and 25-20. However, there were positive signs near the end of the second set as ISU fought off three set points before eventually falling in that second frame.
Iowa State took over in the third set, getting ahead early on the Gophers. Though a mid-set lull allowed Minnesota to get back to tie it back up at 13-13, Iowa State closed out the set on a 12-7 run, finished off by a Suzanne Horner ace to win the set, 25-20.
The fourth set was again controlled by Iowa State. However, the Gophers clawed their way back into the match and were eventually able to secure a 17-16 lead via a block by Paige Tapp and Adrianna Nora. Iowa State was able to get back into it late on by taking a 21-20 lead, but the Gophers were able to get the needed points and Daly Santana closed it out with a big kill to allow the Gophers to escape with a win.
Cyclone Match Ball Goes to…
Victoria Hurtt. The senior outside hitter was a consistent presence for Iowa State all weekend long and capped it off with another solid performance in the match against the Golden Gophers. Hurtt finished with a team-high 132 kills at a .343 hitting percentage. Hurtt was named to the Diet Coke Classic All-Tournament Team.
Honorable mention to Caitlin Nolan, who was also named to the Diet Coke Classic All-Tournament team.
Cyclone Notes
*Iowa State finished with 10.0 team blocks, the fourth consecutive match ISU had at least 10.0 team blocks. The last time ISU had at least 10.0 blocks in four straight match was in 2007 when Iowa State went six-straight with at least 10.0 blocks.
*Mackenzie Bigbee finished with 13 kills. Her 36th career match with at least 10 kills.
*Morgan Kuhrt had 10 kills, the first time in 2014 she has reached double figures and the fourth of her career.
*Alexis Conaway recorded six block assists, the fourth time in 2014 she has posted at least five block assists in a match.
*Caitlin Nolan finished with 18 digs, her fourth consecutive match with at least 10 digs and her 28th of her career.
*Victoria Hurtt finished with 13 kills, her 42nd career match with at least 10 kills.
*Suzanne Horner had a career-high six kills, surpassing her mark of five from her time at Mississippi State.
On Deck
Iowa State returns to Hilton Coliseum next Saturday to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series showdown starting at 4 p.m. Iowa State will be looking to expand its lead in the series, as wins by the football and soccer teams have ISU ahead 5-0.
