Starting off the Big 12 season with what was expected to be a tough battle, Iowa State came up with a 3-0 sweep over the Aggies (25-16), (25-11), (26-24). Defense made the difference in the Cyclones’ first Big 12 match-up.  

“I think our serving was very good and when they can’t run their offense that smoothly it really helps,” said head coach Christy Johnson.

Both of Texas A & M’s best hitters found themselves with negative percentages after the first two sets. Sarah Ammerman and Mary Batis, both pre-season All-Big 12 players, were shut down by the Cyclones. Batis was seventh in the Big 12 in kills coming into the match.

After the first set, Ammerman was averaging -.375 while Batis averaged a -.091 and after the second, Ammerman averaged -.375 and Batis was at -.050. Ammerman ended with six kills and Batis finished with only five.

“We knew we had to focus on them and we’ve been working on blocking a lot so I think that’s what helped,” said Johnson.

As a team, Texas A&M was dead even with a hitting percentage of .000 after the second set.

Iowa State out blocked the Aggies 6-3 in the second set and overall 8-7 in the match.

“We just focused on them,” said middle hitter Jen Malcom . “We committed on the outside and we just did what we needed to do.”

Iowa State ended the game with a hitting percentage of .214 as a team while the Aggies suffered with an average of .062. 

Not only did Iowa State’s successful hitting and blocking benefit them, their passing worked wonders as well. After the second set, Iowa State had 30 digs while the Aggies had only 22. In the three sets, Iowa State ended up with 47 digs in comparison to the Aggies’ 40.

Ashley Mass was once again a factor with 18 digs to finish off the game.

Henson ties school record

Victoria Henson started off strong in the first set with eight kills and an attacking percentage of .438.

“She can take sets that aren’t perfect,” said Johnson. “I’m really impressed with how she’s improved.”

With 18 kills in a three-set match, Henson tied the school record.

“She’s getting better and better,” Johnson said. “She’s driving and getting kills on the tougher sets.”