VOLLEYBALL: Cyclones sweep Buffs in Boulder

Jordan Wickstrom

It was Halloween on Saturday night, but instead of spending their time trick or treating, the No. 9 Cyclones (19-3, 11-2 Big 12) traveled to Boulder, Colorado hoping to extend their winning streak to 10 games by defeating the Colorado Buffaloes (6-16, 1-12 Big 12).

Using 23 Colorado errors and a .309 hitting percentage, the Cyclones powered their way past the Buffaloes with a 3-0 sweep (25-21, 25-14, 25-16) giving the Cyclones their tenth straight victory.

Iowa State opened up its first set with Colorado holding onto a 5-4 lead. The Cyclones would go on a quick 5-1 run and take a 10-5 lead before Colorado used a timeout to try and regain its composure. Coming out of the timeout, Colorado came within two points but once again, the Cyclones would not let them get any closer. Outside hitters Victoria Henson, Kelsey Petersen and Rachel Hockaday combined for five of Iowa State’s next eight points helping the Cyclones extend their lead to 20-13. Once again Colorado would refuse to go silently. The Buffaloes cut Iowa State’s lead to 22-20, before the Cyclones would finally be able to close out the first set with a 25-21 win.

For the second straight set, Iowa State was able to start off strong jumping out to a 10-5 lead. Once again, Hockaday, Peterson and Henson started off strong, combing for five of the Cyclones’ first 10 points. Iowa State refused to let up as the Buffaloes would not be able to get back into the set, eventually allowing the Cyclones to take a 20-10 lead. The Cyclones would close out the second set with a 25-14 victory.

Through the first two sets, Colorado did not do much to help out its cause. The Buffaloes allowed 10 points through service or attack errors in the first set and then gave up seven points through errors to Iowa State during the second set.

The third set continued the match’s theme of quick starts. Iowa State was able to take a 13-7 lead and never look back. The Cyclones were quick to shut the door on the Buffaloes as Hockaday and Henson combined for eight points leading the Cyclones to a 25-16 victory, giving Iowa State the sweep.

Henson and Hockaday each had double digit kills for the match. Hockaday led the team with 11, while Henson had 10. Freshman middle blocker Jamie Straube had another strong match with nine kills and three blocks. Fellow middle blocker Debbie Stadick had six kills for the Cyclones, including three kills in the third set.

For the ninth time in 10 games, Iowa State held its opponent to a hitting percentage below .200 as Colorado was only able to muster up a hitting percentage of .175.

The Cyclones will now set their sights on next week’s schedule. Iowa State will have matches against two of the Big 12’s top teams, facing the Big 12’s first place team, Texas on Wednesday with a rematch against Nebraska on Saturday.