For the second night in a row, Iowa State found itself in a win-or-go-home fourth and fifth set.

This time, North Carolina was in town, and despite going up 2-1, the Tarheels (26-6, 16-4 ACC) couldn’t hold on as the Cyclones (22-7, 13-3 Big 12) won 15-13 in the fifth set to advance to the Sweet 16. 

The 15-seeded Cyclones went back and forth with the Tarheels in set one, with the largest lead being just four points. Later on in the match, North Carolina rattled off three points in a row to tie the score at 20-20.

Right side hitter Mackenzie Bigbee broke the run when her kill pegged one of the Tarheel players in the face. Iowa State never lost the lead after that point and went on to win the first set 25-22. 

Middle blocker Jamie Straube’s two kills on 10 attacks and an ankle injury from the previous night caused coach Christy Johnson-Lynch to pull her in the second set. This opened the door for redshirt freshman Tory Knuth and the Johnson, Iowa, native took advantage. 

Knuth finished with seven kills and a .545 attack percentage off the bench, including kills at pivotal points in the fourth and fifth sets.

Just like Thursday night, Iowa State dropped the second and third sets on Friday night. A .024 attack percentage in the third set highlighted the team’s poor play and before they knew it, the Cyclones were in a must-win situation going into set number four. 

As the fourth set began, both teams remained neck and neck, going point for point until Iowa State broke an 8-8 tie. The Cyclones went on to score nine unanswered points just a few moments later and Hilton Coliseum got some new life. 

To close out the set and tie the match at 2-2, Iowa State scored 17 of the final 25 points for a 25-16 fourth set victory. 

Playing back-to-back five-set matches can be a struggle, but the Hilton faithful helped the Cyclones carry their momentum into the decisive set. Iowa State was the first to eight points and ended up being the first to 15 as well, winning 15-13 on a controversial double-hit call by the official. 

Tenisha Matlock had a career performance on the blocking end, contributing four solo blocks as part of her team’s 15 total blocks. Matlock also led the team in kills with 12. 

Iowa State now heads to Berkeley, Calif. next week for the Sweet 16. If they win, the Elite Eight will be in California as well before the Final Four teams head to Louisville for the final two rounds. The Cyclones will play the winner of the Stanford and Western Kentucky match that takes place on Saturday. 

Quotables

Kristen Hahn on the fans and if they would have won if it was on the road:

“No, not at all. Our fans were amazing. I remember one specific play we dug the ball over just barely and it just erupted. That fifth game, same as last night, they helped carry us through the whole way.”

Hahn on the double-hit call to end the match:

“I had to ask someone at the end what happened, like what was the last point, because you always just forget you’re so shocked that it happened. I think we were kind of hoping and praying that they would call it.”

Christy Johnson-Lynch on Tory Knuth’s play off the bench:

“I think one of my favorite things in the world is when players come off the bench and perform under pressure. There’s not much more pressure than what Tory had to experience tonight, but she’s done it all season.”

Tenisha Matlock on her blocking performance:

“Christy [Johnson-Lynch] helped me this week just reminding me to be dynamic in everything I do, just trying to be solid.”