Iowa State Sweeps at West Virginia

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia – The Iowa State volleyball team got over its Big 12 road struggles Saturday with a 3-0 (26-24, 25-20, 25-20) of West Virginia at the WVU Coliseum. The win improved ISU to 13-9 overall, 5-6 in the Big 12. WVU is now 13-12, 3-8 in conference.

Story of the Match
Iowa State was able to find some separation early in the second set as a 4-0 run via some offense from Mackenzie Bigbee and Ciara Capezio saw ISU move ahead 8-5. The Cyclones eventually built up a five-point edge at 15-10, but the Mountaineers fought back with four-straight points, including three-consecutive blocks. Eventually the Mountaineers tied it back up at 16-16 and took the lead at 19-18 on a Capezio attack error. WVU got the first set point at 24-23, but Jordan Anderson misfired on a shot, opening the door for ISU who took advantage of an attack error on Sackett. Caitlin Nolan served up an ace to close the set in ISU's favor 26-24.

Iowa State dominated the early proceedings of the second set, running off the first six points and building up an 11-3 advantage. WVU chipped away at the Iowa State lead, reducing the Cyclones advantage to two points on multiple occasions. However, the Cyclones were able to re-establish some breathing room and won five of the final seven points of the set. WVU was able to fight off one set point, but Hurtt took care of business with a kill to give the Cyclones the second set at 25-20.

The third set saw West Virginia run out to the early lead as the Mountaineers built up a 13-7 advantage. From there, ISU took back over as the Cyclones ran off six-straight points to tie the set at 13-13. After one WVU point gave the Mountaineers the lead back, it was only brief as ISU ran off six of the next eight points to move ahead 20-16. The Mountaineers made a late rally to try and keep it alive, reducing the ISU lead to 20-19, but Iowa State ran off the remaining five points in six rallies. Alexis Conaway put away her eighth kill of the match to send the Cyclones back to Ames victorious.

Cyclone Match Ball goes to…
Victoria Hurtt. Hurtt has been revitalized by ISU's switch to a 6-2 offense and had another productive match Saturday. The senior led the offense with 11 kills at a season-best .429 hitting percentage.

Cyclone Notes
*Iowa State picked up its first Big 12 road win of the season.
*ISU out—dug WVU 38-31. The Cyclones have recorded more digs than their opponents in 18 of its 22 matches in 2014.
*Alexis Conaway earned her eight kills at a .500 hitting percentage, the third match of her career with at least a .500 hitting efficiency.
*Caitlin Nolan finished with 11 digs, her 11th-consecutive match with at least 10 digs.
*Victoria Hurtt finished with 11 kills, her 11th match in 2014, 48th of her career, with at least 10 kills.
*Hurtt's .429 hitting percentage was her best hitting efficiency of the season.

On Deck
Iowa State is on the road again Wednesday when the Cyclones take on No. 24 Oklahoma at McCasland Field House in Norman. Match time is slated for 7 p.m.

Next Event

Team Stats

Victoria Hurtt

Morgan Kuhrt

Alexis Conaway

Mackenzie Bigbee

Players Mentioned

Mackenzie Bigbee

Mackenzie Bigbee

Ciara Capezio

Ciara Capezio

Alexis Conaway

Victoria Hurtt

Victoria Hurtt

Caitlin Nolan

Caitlin Nolan

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics