LUBBOCK, Texas - The Iowa State volleyball team fought hard in game one, but were unable to come up with a victory in the opener, or in games two or three, and were swept by Texas Tech at United Spirit Arena in Lubbock, Texas tonight. Tech captured the victory with game scores of 31-29, 30-27 and 30-25. The Cyclones fall to 8-18 overall and 1-17 in Big 12 play.
The Cyclones were solid defensively in the match, holding Tech to a .167 hitting percentage and recording more digs and more total blocks than the Red Raiders. ISU was unable to muster much offensively, however, as they were held to a .066 hitting percentage and ended the match on the short side of a nine-kill differential.
Iowa State was led offensively by two newcomers to the offensive leaderboard, as juniors Ashlie McWee and Katy Amundson headed the Cyclone attack. The two players had led ISU in kills in a match only three times between them this season, with McWee recording the honor each time. The two players had nine kills apiece for Iowa State.
McWee, a native of Aurora, Colo., had her second great match in as many games, as the junior played well against Missouri on Wednesday. McWee, third on the team this season in blocks, had six block assists to go with her nine kills this evening.
"Ashlie did a great job for us tonight," said Iowa State head coach Linda Crum. "She had lots of energy and really led us on the floor in the match."
Amundson, an outside hitter from Bellaire, Texas, has come off the bench periodically for Iowa State this season. Amundson has been a solid performer who has hit very accurately and intelligently in her limited playing time. Tonight, however, was a match to remember for Amundson. She recorded career highs with nine kills and 25 attack attempts, and tied career marks with six digs and a block assist against Texas Tech.
"I was very happy with the way Katy played," said Crum. "She played most of the match coming off the bench for us and hit some great, smart shots tonight."
Brittany Dalager led ISU in digs for the fifth time in as many matches. The senior from Minneota, Minn., has continued to sparkle in the libero role, taken over only recently. Dalager had 19 digs in tonight's match, and recorded more than 15 digs for the fourth consecutive match.
The Cyclones will conclude their two-game road stretch in the state of Texas on Wednesday, Nov. 17, when they will face No. 13 Texas A&M in College Station. The Aggies handed ISU a loss in their first conference match of the season with a 3-1 victory over Iowa State on Sept. 15 at Hilton Coliseum.