Henson Powers Cyclones Past NDSU, 3-1

Friday, September 3

Ames, Iowa

6:30 PM

Iowa State

North Dakota State (Iowa State Challenge)

Henson Powers Cyclones Past NDSU, 3-1

09.03.2010 | Volleyball

By: cyclones.com

STATS

AMES, Iowa – Victoria Henson powered the Iowa State attack with 22 kills as No. 12 Iowa State knocked off North Dakota State 3-1 (25-11, 21-25, 25-14, 25-17). The win improves the Cyclones to 3-1 on the season.

“I thought it was a solid effort,” Iowa State head coach Christy Johnson-Lynch said. “I thought we did some really good things serving wise, putting a lot of pressure on them. It was nice seeing Victoria (Henson) take over a match like that as well. The only thing I would say is that we gave up some runs we shouldn't have. If we just pass the ball a little sooner or swing a little higher, we would get out of those runs easier. We have to end those runs at two or three points.”

Henson's 22-kill effort was the ninth time in her Iowa State career she reached the 20-kill plateau in a match and the first by a Cyclone since Henson's 24 kills against Baylor in October of last season.

“I hope this match is huge for her confidence. She absolutely took over the match at the end,” Johnson-Lynch said. “I think all great teams need that kind of player who can take over a match like that and she came through big time tonight.”

The match also saw season-high contributions by the defense. Ashley Mass and Caitlin Mahoney both collected season-bests in digs with the All-American Mass picking up 24 and Mahoney contributing 13 digs.

“We have always been a blocking and defensive team,” Johnson-Lynch said. “We are getting close to matching the defensive effort we had last year. I didn't like our blocking up until this match. I think Mass and Caitlin were moving around to different spots and they did a good job of picking those spots.”

Iowa State came out strong in the first set, winning it 25-11. The Cyclones got off to a fast start, earning an early 4-0 lead courtesy of three Carly Jenson kills. The Cyclones closed out the set on a 5-0 run with three of Henson's six first-set kills coming in that run. Jamie Straube also started off the first set well, collecting five kills. Mahoney anchored the Iowa State defense with eight digs, which alone bettered her season-high of seven coming into the match.

The Bison took the second set, winning 25-21. It was back-and-forth in the early going before NDSU went on a 5-0 to build a 14-7 lead. The margin was extended to 18-10 before the Cyclones began a mini-comeback to reduce the lead to 22-20. But that was as close as it would get. Chrissy Knuth and Lauren McLaughlin led the Bison in the set, collecting four kills each. Henson and Jenson led the Cyclones, collecting three kills apiece in the second frame. Straube also made a big contribution on defense, collecting a solo block and three block assists in the set.

It was another Iowa State dominated set in the third, with the Cyclones only conceding the lead at 1-0 and taking the set 25-14. Henson again led the Cyclone attack with five kills in the set.

Iowa State didn't waste any time getting going in the fourth set, beginning the set on an 8-0 run behind Jenson's tough serving. The Cyclones continued to control play throughout the set, building up a 23-11 lead. The Bison didn't quit, as they rattled off a 6-0 run to reduce the deficit to 23-17, but it was too little too late as the Cyclones locked down the final two points.

The two matches played by the Cyclones today marked the first two regular season matches at the Ames High School Gymnasium and Johnson-Lynch enjoyed how it helped the squad. The announced attendance at the match was 1,663.

“I thought the crowd was awesome, it was a great environment,” Johnson-Lynch noted. “The crowd was loud, I lost my voice trying to scream over the noise with the band in here and everybody. I think it is great, it will be tough for opponents to come in and play.”

The Iowa State Challenge will resume tomorrow with the Cyclones having matches against South Dakota State at 11 a.m. and Florida International at 6:30 p.m.