ISU Sweeps Montana, Finishes Cyclone Invite 3-0

Saturday, September 10

Ames, Iowa

4:00 PM

Iowa State

6-2

Montana

1-6

Team	1	2	3	Final F
Montana	15	17	17	0
Iowa State	25	25	25	3

ISU Sweeps Montana, Finishes Cyclone Invite 3-0

09.10.2016 | Volleyball

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AMES, Iowa – Iowa State closed out the Cyclone Invitational with a 3-0 (25-15, 25-17, 25-17) sweep of Montana Saturday afternoon at Hilton Coliseum. The win improves ISU to 6-2, while UM drops to 1-6.

The Cyclones hit .301 as a team, but the story of the match was on the other side of the net as ISU recorded 13.0 total blocks, the most by ISU in a three-set match since having 13.0 against Baylor in 2011. Grace Lazard led that effort with eight total blocks (one solo, seven assists). she also led the offense with eight kills at a .312 hitting percentage, while Hannah Bailey had a career-best eight kills at a .429 hitting clip.

Iowa State Out Fast, Eases to First Set Win
Iowa State was in total control from the start of the set. The Grizzlies had no answer to Grace Lazard on both sides of the net, as the Londoner helped herself to four kills on six swings and three blocks in the first set. Iowa State raced out to a 9-2 lead, and while Montana was able to keep it close momentarily, the ISU offense eventually powered ahead, with Monique Harris serving up a 5-0 run to make it 17-6 Cyclones. The Iowa State lead reached 11 points, and ISU was able to wrap up the frame on second asking when Anna Kiel fired down her second kill of the set at 25-15.

ISU Contains Early Slump to Take Second Set
Montana rushed out to an early four-point advantage at 7-3, forcing an Iowa State timeout. The Cyclones did not waste time getting things back in their favor, as Branen Berta came in and served up a 4-0 run to get the Cyclones ahead 12-11. The ISU block continued, strong all Cyclone Invitational, had another big day. Once again, Lazard led the charge as she posted four blocks in the frame, while keeping her offensive standard up and recording a service ace. The Cyclones went on a late 4-0 run to bring up set point, which was converted on the second attempt when Janna Grimsrud fired a shot wide to make it 25-17 Cyclones.

Offense Steps Up to Complete Sweep
The Iowa State offense continued to use a balanced approach throughout the third set. A trio of Cyclones, Hannah Bailey, Lazard and Samara West each had three kills while Kiel and Genesis Miranda had two each as ISU hit .344 for the set. The match was put out of Montana's reach when Lazard fired off a 4-0 run to up the Cyclone advantage to 13-6. Iowa State posted its 13th block of the match when Harris and West teamed up to deny Cassie Laramee and claim the match in three.

Cyclone Notes
*Hannah Bailey recorded a career-high eight kills, her previous best was six against Omaha on Sept. 1.
*Abby Phillips recorded a career-high 18 digs, her first career match in double figures. Her previous best was nine earlier today against North Dakota State.
*Grace Lazard posted a career-high eight total blocks (one solo, seven assists). Her previous career-best was 4.0 three times, twice last year and against Iowa Friday night.
*Lazard and Sami Hillmer both recorded their first career service aces in the match.
*Genesis Miranda posted seven digs, tying for the most she has had in a match as a Cyclone (at Omaha, Sept. 1).

Cyclone Invitational All-Tournament Team
Jess Schaben, Iowa State (MVP)
Morgan Kuhrt, Iowa State
Grace Lazard, Iowa State
Reghan Coyle, Iowa
Jess Janota, Iowa
Jessica Jorgensen, North Dakota State
Raegan Lindsey, Montana