Cyclones Lose Heartbreaker to No. 15 Kansas State

Saturday, October 2

Manhattan, Kan.

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Iowa State

Kansas State

Cyclones Lose Heartbreaker to No. 15 Kansas State

10.02.2004 | Volleyball

By: Iowa State University

MANHATTAN, Kan. - The Iowa State volleyball team, coming off of three disappointing efforts in three-straight Big 12 losses, came back with an impressive performance against No. 15 Kansas State. ISU took the Wildcats to five games, but fell short in today's match in Ahearn Field House.

KSU opened the match with a 30-22 win in game one. Iowa State fought back with hard-earned victories in games two and three, as the Cyclones went to extra-points to defeat Kansas State by margins of 39-37 and 32-30. The Wildcats roared back in game four, winning an easy 30-13 decision and sealed the victory with a 15-9 win in the final game.

"I thought we played a solid match today," said head coach Linda Crum. "We did a great job to get the wins in games two and three and we did a better job of maintaining our competitiveness and finish those games with wins."

Kansas State posted the victory behind a solid hitting percentage and excellent defense. KSU out hit Iowa State, .278 to .134, while recording four more blocks than the Cyclones (12 to eight). ISU had 14 more attack attempts than the Wildcats, but KSU notched 11 more digs than Iowa State, and the Cyclones committed 37 errors to Kansas State's 24, cementing the victory for KSU. Both teams sparkled from behind the service line, as the Wildcats had 14 service aces and ISU recorded 11.

"We didn't have a spectacular hitting percentage today as a team or as individuals," Crum said. "Kansas State did a nice job defensively and that's just the way it played out."

Individually, Iowa State was led by freshman Erin Boeve. Boeve, easing her way back into the starting lineup after an early season foot injury, pounded 13 kills for Iowa State, tying her season and career bests recorded earlier this season against Auburn. Boeve, a native of Steen, Minn., also recorded a career-high with three service aces in today's match.

"Erin Boeve was probably our most outstanding player offensively today," Crum said. "She is getting better and really looked as good as she has in conference play in today's match."

Two Cyclones recorded double-doubles in the match. Junior setter Amanda Craig, fourth in the Big in assists per game, dished out 52 assists and notched 11 digs for her sixth double-double of the season. Nicole Lorenzen, a redshirt sophomore from Fremont, was the other ISU player in that category, as Lorenzen slammed 10 kills and had 11 digs in the Iowa State effort.

Brittany Dalager had another solid all-around match for the Cyclones. The senior from Minneota, Minn., had 11 kills and seven digs. Dalager also tied a season and career-best in service aces, she had four on the afternoon.

Katie Jessen was the other Cyclone who recorded double-figures in kills, as the sophomore notched 12. Jessen led ISU in attack attempts for the afternoon, as she had 41 swings in the match.

"We definitely took some steps in today's match," said Crum. "We're disappointed we weren't able to take advantage of our opportunities, but we feel better about the way we played."

Iowa State moves to 7-6 on the season and 1-5 in league play with the loss, while KSU moves to 10-4 overall and 4-1 in the Big 12. ISU returns to Hilton Coliseum on Tuesday, Oct. 5, with a matchup against Colorado. First serve is slated for 7 p.m.