Iowa State Falls to Morehead State in Final Match of Amerihost Classic

Saturday, September 8

Green Bay, Wis.

5:30 PM

Iowa State

Morehead State

Iowa State Falls to Morehead State in Final Match of Amerihost Classic

09.08.2001 | Volleyball

By: Iowa State University

GREEN BAY, Wis. - The Iowa State volleyball team finished play in the Amerihost Classic, Saturday afternoon in the Phoenix Sports Center, with a 3-1 loss vs. Morehead State. Sophomore Renae Pruess led ISU offensively with 15 kills. True freshman Brittany Dalager collected 13 kills and a career high 23 digs. The double-double was her fourth in a row this season. The loss drops Iowa State to 3-2 on the year, while MHS improves to 4-2

In the opening set the Cyclones picked up where they left off earlier in day when they defeated Wisconsin-Green Bay, by jumping out to a 4-0 lead. Unlike in the match vs. UWGB, ISU was able to maintain its lead throughout the set culminated by a kill from freshman Brittany Dalager to give ISU the opening game 30-24. The kill was Dalager's third of the game to go along with five digs and two service aces.

The second set proved to be a tough task for Iowa State as neither team was able to build a substantial lead. ISU held a 23-19 advantage, but Morehead cut the Cyclones led to 26-25, forcing Iowa State head coach Linda Crum to call a timeout. Following the timeout MHS outscored ISU 5-1 and took game two, 30-27. Pruess recorded four kills on six attempts in game two, but Morehead was able to even the match, 1-1.

Morehead carried over the momentum they gain in set two and took control of game three early. Despite several Cyclones attempts to come back Morehead maintained its lead and eventually claimed game three, 30-27. MHS's Amy Almond collected eight kills and four digs to push the Eagles match lead to, 2-1.

In the fourth game the Eagles scored the opening six points, putting ISU in the hole from the start. The Cyclones chipped away at MHS's lead and eventually tied the match at 14-14. Morehead would pull away as they scored 16 points to ISU's six to win the set (30-20) and match (3-1).

"I was obviously disappointed with our overall play tonight," Crum said. "The players seemed to be pushing to hard at times and made several errors that they wouldn't normally make. We let Morehead take control too often, leaving ourselves a tough road in order to win. I liked the effort tonight, but we really need to focus that energy and be patient on the court."

Iowa State returns home to face Baylor at 7 p.m. on Wednesday in Hilton Coliseum. The matchup will be the Big 12 season opener for both squads.