AMES, Iowa – Iowa State (12-7, 4-4 Big 12) could not make the breakthrough late in sets as No. 1 Texas (17-0, 8-0 Big 12) took down the Cyclones 3-0 (25-18, 25-22, 25-22) Friday night in front of a season-best 3,172 fans at Hilton Coliseum.
Iowa State’ defense stepped up to hold UT to .215 hitting, the Longhorns’ second-lowest hitting percentage in a match this season, but were unable to produce enough in the attack, as the Cyclones improved from Thursday, but still hit .118 on the night.
The attack was led by nine kills each from Annie Hatch and Eleanor Holthaus, while Allie Petry led the back-row with 10 digs. Alexis Engelbrecht and Candelaria Herrera each had five blocks on the night, as the Cyclones recorded 10.0 total blocks as a team.
Set One: Texas 25 Iowa State 18
Like the night before, Iowa State once again got off to a strong start, as the Cyclones went on a 5-0 run led by an Allie Petry ace to get ahead 8-3. However, Texas bounced back quicker on this occasion and was able to slowly bring the ISU lead down, getting it to one at 14-13 on a Sydney Petersen ace and tying at 16-16 on a kill by Logan Eggleston. Brionne Butler killed to tie it again at 18-18 and bring Melanie Parra to the service line, with the Big 12’s aces leader frustrating the Cyclones as she served out the set, with Butler killing again to close it at 25-18.
Set Two: Texas 25 Iowa State 22
Alexis Engelbrecht and Eleanor Holthaus combined for a block to put ISU up 3-1, but UT worked their way back ahead quickly during a 4-0 run on the serve of Eggleston. ISU hung tough but was never able to tie it up, as UT was able to continually side-out the Cyclones. Asjia O’Neal served up a 4-0 run that put the visitors ahead 18-12 and the set out of Iowa State’s reach. ISU did get back within one via a 6-1 run at 20-19, but UT ran off four-straight to get to set point, which they converted on third asking via an O’Neal kill at 25-22.
Set Three: Texas 25 Iowa State 22
Back-to-back Holthaus kills gave ISU a 4-0 lead to begin the third, but UT immediately responded and were back ahead 7-6 when O’Neal and Jhenna Gabriel stuffed Annie Hatch. ISU had it tied again at 8-8, but UT once again was strong in side-out to keep the Cyclones at bay. Petersen got a kind net-cord during a 3-0 run that helped put the Horns ahead 17-12. UT got to match point at 24-18, but Iowa State did well to fight off three match points with a pair of blocks. However, Texas returned the favor on the fourth chance when Hatch was denied by O’Neal and Molly Phillips at 25-22.
Up Next
Iowa State is back in Hilton Coliseum next weekend for matches against West Virginia on Saturday and Sunday. Both matches will start at 1 p.m.
