An old Big 12 volleyball rivalry was renewed when Nebraska came to take on Iowa State, but unlike many tight matches in years past, the final result was more one-sided than usual.

The Cornhuskers defeated the Cyclones in straight sets (27-25, 25-21, 25-22) April 19 at Hilton Coliseum. An additional fourth set was also played, in which Nebraska won 25-22.

All four sets were decided by four points or less, leading ISU coach Christy Johnson-Lynch to point to a lack of aggressiveness as one of Iowa State’s downfalls in closing out winnable sets.

“We have to be more aggressive after point 15, and certainly after point 20. After point 20 there were some errors, some service errors,” Johnson-Lynch said. “We just didn’t really play very well, play very hard or execute at the end of those sets because every one felt like we were right in it and we just let go.”

Junior rightside hitter Mackenzie Bigbee had similar thoughts, citing the Cyclones’ inability to maintain a high intensity level throughout the match.

“For the game today, I felt like we had times where we did really well, but overall I think there was a lack of intensity,” Bigbee said. “We didn’t really have the fire that you need. We just weren’t competing every play.”

Less than 48 hours removed from its last match against Creighton on April 17, Iowa State proved capable of competing with a top-10 Nebraska team.

The Cornhuskers never built a lead greater than five points in a set, and the Cyclones pushed the first set into extra points.

Iowa State hung with Nebraska but was unable to string together enough points to jump out in front by more than a point or two. A big reason was Nebraska’s dominance at the net.

Nebraska posted 12 blocks compared to only two for Iowa State, hindering the ISU offensive attack.

“Nebraska always has a big block. The biggest thing for us hitters is you have to be aware of the block, make the smarter decisions,” Bigbee said. “We didn’t make a whole lot of smart decisions, we hit a lot into their block instead of hitting high.”

Reflecting on Iowa State’s past two matches against 2013 NCAA tournament teams in Creighton and Nebraska, sophomore setter Suzanne Horner said the experience was beneficial in gauging the team’s progress during the spring, even after a pair of losses.

“I think it’s been really good. As a team, we know the things we have to work on and where we need to improve,” Horner said. “Those teams opened our eyes to where we need to keep working and where we need to be in the fall.”

Iowa State has concluded its spring exhibition schedule. The team will travel to Europe in May for a two-week exhibition tour before regular season play begins in August.