Cyclones Win Eighth Straight; Stay Perfect At Home

Saturday, October 24

Ames, Iowa

6:30 PM

Iowa State

Texas Tech

Cyclones Win Eighth Straight; Stay Perfect At Home

10.24.2009 | Volleyball

By: cyclones.com

AMES, Iowa ? No. 14 Iowa State defeated Texas Tech, 3-0 (25-15, 25-17, 25-19), Saturday night at Hilton Coliseum to tie the school-record with its eighth win in a row while remaining unbeaten at home in 2009. The Cyclones have yet to drop a set at home, winning all 21 in front of the home crowd, which Saturday was at its best with a season-high 2,527 in attendance.

Coming off its biggest regular season win in school history, a 3-2 victory at No. 5 Nebraska Wednesday, ISU head coach Christy Johnson-Lynch was pleased that there was no letdown from the Cyclones (17-3, 9-2 Big 12) against the last-place Red Raiders (2-16, 0-10).

"I was a little concerned about this game,” Johnson-Lynch said. “The last win was a little emotional. I thought we might look over Texas Tech. It wasn't perfect but we took care of business. We were pretty solid."

The Cyclones were paced by 13 kills from junior Victoria Henson, who was in double figures for the 15th match in a row. Freshman Jamie Straube notched 12 kills to reach double digits for the second match in a row. Straube also hit for a career high for the second-straight match, hitting .450 after attacking at a .375 clip Wednesday against the Huskers.

ISU was again solid on the defensive side of the net, out blocking the Red Raiders, nine to three. The Cyclones have had as many or out blocked their last seven matches.

Libero Ashley Mass had a match-high 16 digs as ISU out dug the visitors 48-37. Mass, a junior, has now posted 80 career 10-dig matches.

In the opening set, ISU hit .400 and closed the set on an 8-2 run to win 25-15. Straube and Rachel Hockaday led the way with four kills each on 11 total swings and ISU had three blocks to go up 1-0.

The Cyclones were again hot offensively in the second set, hitting .333 while holding Tech to a .125 hitting percentage. The Cyclones were leading just 3-2 following a kill from Tech's Miara Cave before going on a 7-1 run that jumpstarted the 25-17 win.

ISU used much of its bench in the final set, but was able to hold off the Red Raiders to earn the sweep with a 25-19 win.

Kaylee Manns dished out 38 assists and tied a season high with two solo blocks. The senior captain also had nine digs in the contest.

Texas Tech was led by middle blocker Amanda Dowdy's 11 kills. The Cyclones were able to limit the sophomore to just a .156 hitting percentage. Aleah Hayes had a team-high 10 digs in the loss.

The Cyclones will be back in action Wednesday when they play host to No. 23 Baylor at 6:30 p.m.