Cyclones Win in Three Against Wildcats

Wednesday, October 13

Ames, Iowa

7:00 PM

Iowa State

Kansas State

Cyclones Win in Three Against Wildcats

10.13.2010 | Volleyball

By: cyclones.com

STATS | MEDIA CONFERENCE | HIGHLIGHTS | PHOTOS

AMES, Iowa - Senior Ashley Mass moved into second place on the Big 12 all-time digs list on Wednesday, grabbing 18 digs to give her 2,020 in her career as the 13th-ranked Cyclones (12-4, 5-3 Big 12) beat the Kansas State Wildcats (9-10, 3-5 Big 12) in three sets (25-20, 25-22, 25-16) at Ames High School.

After posting only eight blocks against the Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday, the Cyclones came to life on defense Wednesday with 11 blocks in the match, including eight in the first set. The team also held the Wildcats to .086 hitting. Victoria Henson led the team on offense once again with 15 kills and 17.5 points.

"I generally thought we showed some improvement in areas we have been working on," Cyclone head coach Christy Johnson-Lynch said. "We have had to improve our blocking numbers and we did that tonight. We have not seen that for a while so I am very excited for that."

Middle blockers Debbie Stadick and Jamie Straube were instrumental in Iowa State's win with six kills each. Stadick had a season-high seven block assist on the night as well.

"The thing we have been trying to address this week is more kills from our middles and right side," Johnson-Lynch said. "Technically, we were a lot better. We tried to have our middles stay more balanced so once our setter set the ball they were not tricked in going the wrong way."

The first set was a tale of defense for both teams as Iowa State collected six of its blocks but was held to .136 hitting by the Wildcat defense which posted 3.5 blocks.

Iowa State took control in the second set, allowing only one tie and never giving up the lead. A similar story played out in the third set as the Wildcats managed one tie and one lead before falling behind and letting the Cyclones take charge.

Iowa State is back in action on Saturday afternoon against Texas A&M in the 2010 Dig Pink match. Match time is set for 3 p.m. at Ames High School.

For more information and for complete coverage of Iowa State volleyball, visit cyclones.com.