Iowa State Earns Sweep of Missouri State

Saturday, September 17

Milwaukee, Wis.

11:00 AM

Iowa State

7-4

Missouri State

9-4

Team	1	2	3	Final F
Missouri State	12	21	22	0
Iowa State	25	25	25	3

Iowa State Earns Sweep of Missouri State

09.17.2016 | Volleyball

Box Score Stats Recap

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin – Iowa State bounced back to finish the Marquette Invitational 1-1 when the Cyclones swept Missouri State 3-0 (25-12, 25-21, 25-22) Saturday morning at the Al McGuire Center. The win improved the Cyclones to 7-4 on the season, while Missouri State fell to 9-4 on the year.

The Cyclone offense was strong, hitting .307 as a team. Wisconsin's own Ciara Capezio led ISU with 10 kills, while Morgan Kuhrt and Jess Schaben had nine each and Alexis Conaway had eight at a .462 hitting percentage. Abby Phillips returned to the libero position with 18 digs.

Cyclone Offense Flies in First Set Win
Alexis Conaway found all sorts of ways to get involved for the Cyclones early on. She got a pair of kills on her first two swings and then fired a service ace as the Cyclones went on a 6-0 run to build a 12-5 advantage. While a lot of the Cyclone success can be credited to errors committed by MSU, the ISU offense was on point, firing at a .407 hitting percentage while building the advantage up to 13 points at 24-11 to bring up set point. Iowa State took care of business on the second try with Ciara Capezio firing a kill of the block to take the first 25-12.

ISU Emerges From Hard-Fought Set 2-0 Up
It would not be a Saturday morning walk in the park for ISU, as Missouri State stepped up its defensive effort, especially on the block, to begin the second frame. A pair of blocks on Jess Schaben helped guide MSU to a 9-5 advantage. Once again though, the Bears had to rue the free opportunities they gave to ISU, as four unforced errors in five points tied the set at 10-10. A Branen Berta ace and Morgan Kuhrt kill put the Cyclones ahead 12-10, but MSU's block rose up again to get back ahead at 15-13. ISU tied it back up at 15s, and finally got some breathing room at 23-21 when Ashley Ophoven's shot nailed the antenna. Capezio brought up set point at 24-21 with a shot down the line, and it was converted first try with Monique Harris winning a duel at the net to make it 25-21 ISU, and 2-0 Cyclones.

Iowa State Closes Strong Again, Earns Sweep
The Cyclone offense found its form again to start the third set, with options all across the rotations delivering for the Cyclones. However, ISU took a little time to find the separation, as Missouri State was able to find opportunities for its pin hitters. The Bears finally broke through with the lead at 17-15, but Capezio stepped up with back-to-back kills to return the Cyclone advantage to 18-17. While MSU would tie it again, they would never return to the lead as ISU got up to match point at 24-21 on a lift by Missouri State. The Cyclones took care of business on the second effort when Conaway got her eighth kill of the day to wrap up the sweep.

Cyclone Notes
*Abby Phillips led the Iowa State defense with 18 digs, her third match in a row with at least 10 digs.
*Monique Harris had 38 assists and 12 digs for her first double-double of 2016, and 13th of her career.
*Ciara Capezio finished with 10 kills, her third match of the season in double figures and the 43rd of her ISU career.

Up Next
Iowa State begins Big 12 play on Wednesday at Kansas State. First serve at Ahearn Fieldhouse will be at 7 p.m.