VERMILLION, S.D. – Iowa State (5-4, 0-0 Big 12) swept Montana State (1-7, 0-0 Big Sky) by set scores of 25-21, 25-20, 28-26 Sunday morning to return to the win column. The victory was the 375th of Christy Johnson-Lynch‘s career.
Iowa State hit a .262 in the match, including at .448 in the second set, and were led by Nayeli Gonzalez’ 16 kills at a hitting percentage of .400. Gonzalez along with Maya Duckworth (11) and Lilly Wachholz (10) made for three Cyclones in double figures through the three sets. Facing set point five times with MSU up in the third, Gonzalez and Duckworth provided the kills the Cyclones needed to secure the sweep.
Brooke Stonestreet defensively totaled 19 digs, including 11 in the first set alone. Pam McCune led ISU with four total blocks (1 solo, 3 assisted).
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SET ONE
The Cyclones got off to an 8-2 start after five combined kills by Nayeli Gonzalez and Tierney Jackson, with Montana State following to call an early timeout. The advantage stretched to 13-4 after a Duckworth kill and Montana State responded with a run of three, but ISU went on to lead 20-14 as Gonzalez collected her fifth kill. ISU would win the first 25-21 on a Lilly Wachholz kill. Stonestreet dialed in an ISU season set best of 11 digs.
SET TWO
The teams traded points early, with Jackson making it 5-5 on her fourth kill on nine attempts. Iowa State came back to tie Montana State twice after falling behind by three, while ISU found its first lead of the set at 21-20. Gonzalez’ 10th kill then brought the Cyclones up by a pair, and the Cyclones held on to the lead to win the set 25-20 on a Stonestreet ace.
SET THREE
Iowa State took the first three points after a pair of kills by McCune and another by Duckworth. After MSU took a 7-6, Jackon put down her second kill of the set and sixth total to tie it back up. The set saw many ties and lead changes as the score remained within one deep in the frame. The Cyclones fought through a long rally, coming out victorious after Duckworth capped it with the kill to make it 17-16, ISU. MSU followed to go ahead 23-21, causing an ISU timeout. Down 24-21, the Cyclones fought through three set points to tie it at 24s after crucial Gonzalez kills. Montana State found set point twice more, but Duckworth put an end to the match after three straight kills as the Cyclones won the third 28-26.
UP NEXT
Iowa State continues its road stint, heading to New York to meet Colgate in Hamilton, N.Y. on Thursday, Sept. 19 and Syracuse in Syracuse, N.Y. on Saturday, Sept. 21.
