Cyclones Drop Heartbreaker, 3-2

Saturday, October 6

Norman, Okla.

7:00 PM

Iowa State

Oklahoma

10.06.2007 | Volleyball

By: cyclones.com

NORMAN, Okla. - The Iowa State volleyball squad jumped out to a 2-1 lead against Big 12 foe Oklahoma, but suffered a heartbreaking loss, 3-2 at the McCasland Fieldhouse in Norman, Okla. Saturday night.

Holding a 2-1 lead in the match, Oklahoma made a furious comeback in the fifth game to defeat the Cyclones (30-19, 24-30, 31-29, 26-30, 12-15).

Tied at 9-9, the Cyclones (11-6, 5-2 Big 12) pulled out to a 12-10 lead in the pivotal fifth game. But Oklahoma (14-3, 6-1) rallied for five straight points, including three kills by Bridget Laplante, and stole the match, 3-2.

Senior Erin Boeve registerd the Cyclones' first triple-double in 138 matches with 25 kills, 15 digs and 11 total blocks, four of which were solo and seven that were assisted. Boeve is the first Cyclone to achieve a triple-double since Renae Pruess did so in 2003 and just the third ever to accomplish the feat. Sophomore Kaylee Manns matched her season-high in assists with 63. Three other Cyclones, Mary Bisenius, Victoria Henson and Lauren Cummings, had double-digit kills.

In the first game, ISU jumped out to a huge lead, and then traded points to grab game one, 30-19. With a 6-3 advantage, the Cyclones reeled off 10 of the next 11 points to pull to a 16-5 lead in the game. ISU tallied 18 kills to the Sooners' 10 in the game.

Oklahoma rebounded to win the second game, 30-24. The Cyclones led most of the way in the third game, but Oklahoma came back to tie it at 29-29. A kill by Bisenius put ISU back on top, and an attack error by Laplante sealed the game for the Cyclones.

ISU couldn't capitalize on the momentum, finding themselves on the wrong side of the score most of the fourth game. The Cyclones battled back to close the deficit within three at 22-25, but the Sooners proved too much and captured game four, 30-26.

The loss drops the Cyclones to fourth place in the Big 12. Oklahoma now sits tied with Texas for second in the conference. Saturday marked the first time this season ISU lost a match after winning the first game. The Cyclones were previously 8-0 after seizing the opening game.

Iowa State looks to rebound against the top team in the land, Nebraska, on Wednesday night. The Cornhuskers (14-0, 7-0 Big 12) are currently ranked No. 1 in the CSTV/AVCA Coaches poll. Opening serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. with CSTV televising the match nationally.