AMES, Iowa – Iowa State (8-5, 2-0 Big 12) grabbed the win over Cincinnati (10-3, 1-1 Big 12) in four sets by scores of 25-19, 25-13, 21-25, 25-23 Wednesday. ISU handed Cincinnati its first road loss of the season and ended the Bearcats’ seven-match win streak.
In a match that provided many long rallies, ISU went up 2-0 but dropped the third set. The fourth set proved to be tight, but the Cyclones held on to take the victory in four.
Morgan Brandt again showed she can do it all, performing to her fifth double-double and 21st of her career with 43 assists and a season-high digs. The setter also added five kills on eight attempts (.625 hitting), one ace and a block. Brooke Stonestreet was again crucial in the win, totaling 25 digs for her fourth-straight 20-dig match. The libero also led the match with four aces, while ISU totaled eight.
Maya Duckworth and Lilly Wachholz extended their double-digit kill streak to six matches, with Duckworth totaling 15 and Wachholz 12. Amiree Henricks-Walker also hit in double digits totaling 10.
Nayeli Gonzalez and Rachel Van Gorp made their returns to the court, seeing their first action since Sept. 15. Gonzalez totaled six kills while Van Gorp notched 13 digs, her ninth game in double figures.
SET ONE
After a 3-3 tie, ISU began to build a lead out to 10-5 on Wachholz’ second kill, causing a UC timeout. Wachholz put down her fourth on six swings to double up Cincinnati at 12-6. Iowa State went on to reach 20 points as Cincinnati held 14 on Wachholz’ fifth kill. Cincinnati would hit a 3-0 run, but Maya Duckworth’s fourth kill brought ISU to set point (24-19). Gonzalez followed with the set ending kill to give Iowa State the match lead.
SET TWO
Two straight Cyclone blocks capped a 5-0 run as ISU led 6-2 early. Hendricks-Walker then laid down a trio of kills midway through the set as the Cyclones held the 13-7 advantage. The Cyclones continued to hold the momentum as the scoreboard read 20-8 following another run of five. Hendricks-Walker’s sixth kill ended the set at 25-13 as ISU dominated the set.
SET THREE
Stonestreet delivered two straight aces to make it a 6-3 ISU lead. Cincinnati came back within one at 7-6, while Brandt sent over her third setter kill to keep the Cyclones ahead. Cincinnati would tie it up at 12s, and the sides would follow to flip the lead twice more. The Bearcats found a 19-17 edge, causing ISU to call a timeout. UC went on to take the set 25-21, outhitting ISU .308-.094.
SET FOUR
Duckworth delivered the ace to put ISU ahead 6-3 to start. Another lead change followed with Cincinnati grabbing it at 8-7. The Cyclones pressed on to take a 14-10 lead after Stonestreet’s fourth ace, and the run continued as Stonestreet tallied a libero kill. The Cyclones remained up, reached 17-14 after Brandt’s fourth setter kill on seven attempts. Cincinnati cut its deficit to one (19-18), but Iowa State responded to lead 21-18 as Hendricks-Walker entered double digits in kills. Cincinnati again came back, but ISU took the win on Duckworth’s 15th kill.
UP NEXT
Iowa State next travels to Manhattan to face K-State this Saturday, Oct. 5 at 4 p.m.
