ISU Moves on to NIVC Quarterfinals, Sweeps Bradley

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State got better as the night went along, finishing up with a 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-13) sweep of Bradley Friday night at Hilton Coliseum to advance to the quarterfinals of the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC). The win moves ISU to 18-13 on the season, while Bradley ends its season at 24-9.

The Cyclone offense hit .287 on the night, led by a double-double of 17 kills and 12 digs from Jess Schaben. Grace Lazard and Josie Herbst each had nine kills, Lazard earning hers at .533 hitting. In defense, the Cyclones held Bradley to .116 hitting, led by 13.0 total blocks, nine from Lazard, and a career-high 19 digs by Izzy Enna.

Set One: Iowa State 25 Bradley 22
Bradley got off to a strong start, taking the first four points of the set but ISU quickly responded to tie it up with the next four out of a timeout. A lost challenge proved to be the spark to awaken the Cyclones and Hilton Coliseum, as ISU went on a 3-0 run to knot it back up at 17-17. Bradley went on a 3-0 run to get ahead 20-17, but a testing 5-0 serving run by Grace Lazard fired the Cyclones back ahead 22-20. The Cyclones reached set point at 24-22 and put it away on first asking with a kill from Eleanor Holthaus at 25-22.

Set Two: Iowa State 25 Bradley 19
An even first half of the set was broken open by the Cyclones at the halfway point. The Braves had a 12-11 lead, but the Cyclones clicked an 8-2 run to move ahead 19-14. Iowa State put together a balanced effort in the second frame, hitting .302 as a team while holding Bradley to .167 hitting. Schaben again was key to the Cyclone effort, posting six kills in the set. Her final kill of the frame finished it off, as she got it via a Hali Hillegas assist at 25-19.

Set Three: Iowa State 25 Bradley 13
Iowa State got off to a strong start, pushing out to a 5-1 advantage. The two teams combined for no aces in the first two sets, but Iowa State got rolling from behind the line, with Izzy Enna, Josie Herbst and Lazard all getting aces to help push the lead at 13-6. Iowa State completely dominated from there, hitting .367 for the set while holding the Braves to .000 hitting. ISU reached match point at 24-12, which got wrapped up when Jess Schaben killed at 25-13.

Player of the Match
Grace Lazard. A very strong two-way performance by the senior, as she finished with nine kills at .533 hitting and nine total blocks (one solo, eight assists).

Up Next
Iowa State will play North Texas in the quarterfinals of the NIVC. The match will be played in Ames at Hilton Coliseum, with the date and time being announced at the conclusion of the second round matches on Friday night.

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Team Stats

Jess Schaben

Grace Lazard

Josie Herbst

Candelaria Herrera

Players Mentioned

Izzy Enna

Josie Herbst

Hali Hillegas

Eleanor Holthaus

Grace Lazard

Jess Schaben

Players Mentioned

Izzy Enna

Josie Herbst

Hali Hillegas

Eleanor Holthaus

Grace Lazard

Jess Schaben

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics