Cyclones Fall To No. 1 Nebraska, 3-1

Wednesday, November 8

Ames, Iowa

6:30 PM

Iowa State

Nebraska

Cyclones Fall To No. 1 Nebraska, 3-1

11.08.2006 | Volleyball

By: Iowa State University

AMES, Iowa ? Iowa State fell short in its upset bid Wednesday night at Hilton Coliseum, dropping a 3-1 decision to the No. 1 Nebraska Cornhuskers in front of a season-high 2,500 fans. The loss snapped a school-record five-match Big 12 winning streak for the Cyclones.

Iowa State (17-8, 9-6 Big 12) was able to take game two from the Huskers, marking the first time in 12 years that the Cyclones took a game from Nebraska.

"We played aggressive and hard,” said ISU head coach Christy Johnson. “We weren't scared, even for one point. We played our hearts out."

Lauren Cummings ripped 16 kills and hit .316 to lead the Cyclones. Joining Cummings in double-figures were Katie Jessen (14 kills), Erin Boeve (12 kills) and Jessica Klein (12 kills).

Nicole Lorenzen and Laura Cady set new career-highs with 22 digs each. Kaylee Manns had 53 assists and 14 digs in the match. Jessen and Katie Churm also reached double-figure digs for the night with 12 each. Klein added three solo blocks and six block assists for ISU, which was out blocked 14 to 11, by the Huskers.

Nebraska (23-0, 15-0 Big 12) relied on two-time all-American Sarah Pavan and 2005 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year Jordan Larson on the offensive end of the floor. Pavan recorded a match-high 24 kills, while Larson added 15.

The Huskers came out swinging in game one, claiming a 30-20 victory. Jordan Larson put away six kills for Nebraska as the Huskers hit .364 to Iowa State's .119. Cummings led the way for Iowa State, matching Larson with six kills. Game one was tight throughout, until Nebraska turned a 21-17 advantage into a 26-19 lead with kills by Larson and Dani Mancuso.

Iowa State rebounded in game two, notching a 30-22 win. Senior Jessica Klein paced the Cyclone effort, tallying four kills and six blocks (three solo, three assisted). ISU used an early 6-0 run to jump to a 10-3 lead in the second game. Nebraska went to All-American Sarah Pavan, who recorded nine kills, to close the gap to 22-20. ISU's Erin Boeve smashed four kills during the Cyclones' closing 8-2 run to put game two in the books.

"She was blocking like crazy,” Johnson said of Klein's performance in the second game. “She's aggressive and fast. When she gets on a roll, she's fun to watch."

It is the first time Iowa State has taken a game from Nebraska since Oct. 22, 1994, when Cyclone head coach Christy Johnson was a junior setter for the Huskers. Iowa State is only the fifth team to take a game from Nebraska this season, as the Huskers entered Wednesday's match with a 66-5 game record in 2006.

The Cyclones held Nebraska to an .083 hitting percentage in the second frame

After the intermission, the Huskers roared to a 10-4 lead in game three. The Cyclones chipped away at the Nebraska lead, with a late four-point flurry turning the tables ISU's way, 27-26. But, NU responded, scoring the final four points to take the third game, 30-27. Senior Katie Jessen ripped six kills for Iowa State in game three.

The two teams traded blows in game four, as the midway point of the stanza saw a 15-15 deadlock. Nebraska went on a key 10-2 run to open up a 25-17 lead.

"We have the potential,” said Johnson. “It shows that we took the program to a higher level tonight. We showed people that Nebraska coming in here is not just a cakewalk."

The 2,500 fans in attendance marks the second-largest in school history, surpassing the 2,225 that watched ISU defeat Northern Iowa earlier this season.

Iowa State takes to the road for a Sunday afternoon contest against Texas A&M (11-13, 4-12 Big 12). First serve from College Station is slated for 2 p.m. at G. Rollie White Coliseum.

Scores from the Big 12

Colorado 3, Kansas 0

Kansas State 3, Baylor 0

No. 15 Oklahoma 3, Texas Tech 1

No. 8 Texas 3, Texas A&M 0

This Weekend in the Big 12

Saturday, Nov. 11

Kansas State at No. 15 Oklahoma

Baylor at Texas Tech

No. 25 Missouri at No. 8 Texas

No. 1 Nebraska at Colorado

Sunday, Nov. 12