IRVINE, Calif. ? Michigan rallied to defeat Iowa State, 3-1 (30-23, 28-30, 28-30, 28-30), and hand the Cyclones their first loss of the season.
With the loss, Iowa State falls to 5-1 on the season while Michigan improves to 6-0.
Iowa State got 12 kills each from Nicole Lorenzen and Katie Jessen but hit just .121 as a team. The Cyclones also out blocked the Wolverines, 22 to 15.
The Cyclones came out on fire in game one, getting three early kills from Katie Jessen, to take a 5-1 lead and force a timeout from the Wolverines. After Michigan closed the gap to 6-5, ISU rattled off six of the next eight points to increase its lead to 13-7 and force the Wolverines to use their final timeout of the game. Michigan again closed the gap to two at 21-19 before ISU scored four straight en route to a 30-23 first game win.
Jessica Klein had six kills on six swings in the first game, five of which came in the final six points of the contest. The Cyclones out hit the Wolverines, .273 to .024.
Iowa State trailed for much of the early stages in game two but rallied behind strong blocking to take a 12-10 lead. After its own timeout, Michigan scored the next four points but the Cyclones regained composure to knot it up at 14. The Wolverines continued to push the Cyclones and upped their lead to 19-16, forcing a timeout from ISU head coach Christy Johnson. Michigan was able to increase its lead to 27-22 before the Cyclones mounted an impressive four point rally to cut it to a one point deficit. Michigan was able to hold off the Cyclones, taking the 30-28 win, and evening the score at one game apiece.
Iowa State held Michigan to a .045 hitting percentage but was unable to help their own cause, hitting -.026 in the losing effort.
After dropping the second game, ISU came out on the offensive and took a 14-10 third game lead. The Cyclones extended their lead to 22-16 and eventually led 27-17 before Michigan mounted an improbable rally. The Wolverines scored 13 of the next 14 points to go ahead 2-1 in the match.
Despite the hot start in the third game, Iowa State hit just .060 in the losing effort.
Michigan grabbed the early lead in the fourth game and forced Iowa State to use an early timeout at 6-2 in favor of the Wolverines. Michigan pushed its lead to 13-5 before the Cyclones rallied back to close the margin to three at 15-12. The Cyclones battled to get back into it, drawing to within one at 29-28 before a Michigan kill gave them the 3-1 win.
The Cyclones will face No. 20 San Diego in the final match of the tournament tonight at 6:30 p.m.
