PROVO, Utah – Iowa State (13-6, 4-4 Big 12) dropped the match to No. 9 BYU (18-3, 7-2 Big 12) in three sets by scores of 16-25, 20-25, 19-25 Friday night.
The Cyclones totaled 32 kills at .209 hitting, while the Cougars sent over 49 at .387 to set themselves up for victory. Iowa State fought off three set points in the second set and hit at nearly .300 in the third, but couldn’t extend the match as BYU took the straight-set victory to remain perfect at home.
Maya Duckworth led the Cyclones in kills for the second-consecutive night totaling nine in addition to two blocks. Jordan Hopp remained efficient sending over six at .455 hitting while putting up three blocks. Alexis Englebrecht led Cyclone blockers with five total blocks (1 solo, 4 assists) to go along with five kills at .308.
SET ONE
A kill and an ace by Duckworth put ISU up 2-1, but BYU freshman Mia Lee hit three kills to follow aiding in the home team going ahead 6-2 as ISU called a timeout. Iowa State kept in it, drawing within five (15-10) after Hopp and Nayeli Gonzalez put up a wall. Duckworth then would notch her third kill before teaming up with Engelbrecht on a block to put the score at 23-16, BYU. The Cougars went on to win the first 25-16.
SET TWO
Iowa State got on the board first with a block by Morgan Brandt and Engelbrecht, with Englebrecht following to halt a 3-0 BYU run putting down the kill to come within one of BYU at 5-4. The set kept within two as Hopp sent over her third kill to make it 9-7. Another Engelbrecht kill would extend a Cyclone run to three straight, bringing the score to 14-10 with BYU ahead. Hopp then tallied her fourth at .500 hitting before combining with Duckworth on a block to put the score at 21-16. The battle continued, fighting off three set points but the Cougars pulled ahead 25-20.
SET THREE
Hopp knotted the score at 5s with her fifth kill, while notching another at .625 hitting to make it 6-6. The Cyclones continued nailing down kills at an efficiency of .400 as another tie at 11 was seen. Gonzalez would total her seventh kill to end a BYU run while Lilly Waccholz dialed in the ace to cut the home team’s lead down to two (15-13). The Cougars went on another run to reach 20 points, but ISU fought back on a run of their own including a solo block by setter Brandt, making it 20-18. Iowa State hit at .290 in the set, but was unable to extend the match as BYU took the third 25-19.
NEXT UP
Iowa State returns home for a series against Oklahoma, Oct. 28 and 29.
