MINNEAPOLIS — The No. 4 seed ISU volleyball team went out in stunning fashion against No. 12 seed Florida State in a match that went all the way to five sets (25-21, 23-25, 25-20, 19-25, 15-11) on Saturday night in Minneapolis.

“They never gave up. They fought til the very end,” said ISU coach Christy Johnson-Lynch. “I really thought we were going to win until that final point. I’m just so proud of the way they fought and continued to battle even when things weren’t going our way.”

The looks on the players’ faces told the story of the match. It told the story of heartbreak and how they were only a mere few points from Iowa State’s first-ever Final Four berth.

What they didn’t tell was the story of what was a remarkable season.

“I’m really proud of my team,” said senior Carly Jenson with tears in her eyes. “I’m so happy I chose to come to Iowa State, with the coaches, everyone. I just wish we could’ve had that Final Four game.”

One of those younger players that stepped in was freshman outside hitter Victoria Hurrt. Hurtt led all players in the match with 24 kills on 56 total swings and hit on a .286 clip. 

“She’s amazing,” Johnson-Lynch said with a heartfelt smile. “She isn’t afraid of anything. The best she’s played this year has been in the NCAA tournament under a huge amount of pressure as a freshman. You never see that. I’m so proud of her and so excited about what she’s going to be able to do for us.”

Even with the match boasting career numbers for Alison Landwehr in assists, Jenson in digs and Hurtt in kills, Hurtt’s words put it into an all too familiar perspective.

“Ultimately [the numbers] don’t matter,” Hurtt said. “I’d take one kill and a win instead of 24 and a loss.”

Behind Hurtt was Tenisha Matlock with 15, Jenson with 14 and junior Jamie Straube with 12. 

Florida State presented an incredibly large block against the Cyclone hitters. The Seminoles boast four players over the height of 6-foot-4.

The Seminoles outblocked the Cyclones 16-8 throughout the match, and outblocked the Cyclones in the final set five to one.

The senior class that’s leaving Iowa State experienced an Elite Eight their freshman year and experienced one their senior year. They’ve seen this program through a lot, especially their senior year, when, after losing two All-Americans, the status of the team was uncertain.

“I truly didn’t know if we could be anything from an NCAA bubble team, to a top 20 team,” Johnson-Lynch said. “I felt it depended on some younger players emerging for us and I feel that’s what happened.”

Johnson-Lynch went on to praise her group of seniors for a number of things. Kelsey Petersen for her breakout year as a senior, Caitlin Mahoney and Jenson for their competitiveness and Debbie Stadick for her ability to be a role player after starting her junior year. 

“It’s a pretty exceptional group of seniors,” Johnson-Lynch said.