On coach Christy Johnson-Lynch’s birthday, the ISU volleyball team gave one of the best gifts a coach could get — a win.

The No. 14 Cyclones defeated Missouri in three sets (25–23, 25–17, 28–26) for their second-straight conference win Saturday night at Hilton Coliseum.

“I’m thankful for the W on this day,” Johnson-Lynch said.

The Cyclones (12–3, 4–2 Big 12) held the Tigers (10–6, 2–3) to a .106 hitting percentage, out-blocked the team 13.5–8 and had five players in double-digits for digs in the win.

“We were actually practicing a different defense all week, trying to adjust to their hitters,” said sophomore defensive specialist Caitlin Mahoney. “We decided to go with our normal defense.”

Missouri used its height advantage in the first set, out-blocking the Cyclones 4–2. Two three-point runs near the end of the set kept the Cyclones wary of the net.

“We kept reminding our hitters to hit high and cover,” Johnson-Lynch said. “Some of those balls that were blocked for points we could have covered and played again.”

The second set was a different story, as the Cyclones adjusted to the height to out-block Missouri 4.5–2 and held them to a .095 hitting percentage.

“We started covering our block a lot better and getting the ball up,” said sophomore middle-blocker Debbie Stadick, who finished with a career-high 15 kills. “Our outsides did a good job of getting shots.”

A 7–0 run in the middle of the second set allowed the Cyclones to cruise to a 2–0 lead, going into the third set.

“It was good to see us get that lead and create that separation,” Johnson-Lynch said. “You feel that you can take a couple more risks, and it gives you a little freedom to play more relaxed and really go after it.”

The third set was much closer, featuring 11 tied scores, compared to six in the first two sets combined. The Cyclones saw their first deficit of the night, when they were down 17–16 in the set. After rallying from a 20–22 deficit, the Cyclones were able to put the match away on an error by Missouri junior outside hitter Julianna Klein.

“Missouri is good enough that if you don’t keep the pressure on them they’re going to come back,” Johnson-Lynch said. “In the third game we did let up for sure.”

Senior setter Kaylee Manns, junior outside hitter Victoria Henson and sophomore outside hitter Rachel Hockaday all recorded double-doubles, with 39 assists and 13 digs, 12 kills and 14 digs, and 10 kills and 11 digs, respectively. Mahoney and junior libero Ashley Mass both recorded 16 digs to lead the Cyclones; Hockaday, Manns and Henson were all in double digits. Sophomore outside hitter Kelsey Peterson led the Cyclones with two solo blocks.

For Missouri, Klein led the team with 10 kills. Senior setter Lei Wang-Francisco had 24 assists, and junior libero Caitlyn Vann recorded 20 digs to pace the Tigers.

The Cyclones will continue their Big 12 schedule on the road when they take on Oklahoma on Thursday.