Down two games to one Saturday with its postseason chances dwindling, the ISU volleyball team needed a spark against the Kansas Jayhawks.

Senior middle blocker Erin Boeve responded as she has many other times in her career and led the Cyclones (16-12, 10-8 Big 12) to a heart-stopping, comeback five-game victory (20-30, 30-24, 25-30, 30-26, 17-15).

The win over the Jayhawks (12-17, 5-14) qualifies the Cyclones for NCAA tournament consideration with two matches to go on the season.

Boeve came up a block short of her second straight triple-double with 19 kills, 11 digs, and nine blocks. Fellow senior Lauren Cummings had 16 kills and junior Jen Malcom had 15 kills, including the game-winner, to join Boeve in double-figures in kills. Senior Laura Cady led Iowa State in digs with 14 and sophomore setter Kaylee Manns recorded her 12th double-double of the season with 57 assists and 11 digs.

The Cyclones offense, which was on and off for most of the match, started slow out of the gate, only hitting .125 in game one and losing 30-20.

Iowa State found Boeve early and often in game two, and, after taking a 6-5 lead, ran away to a 30-24 game two victory. Boeve had five kills in the game and Cummings gave the Cyclones lead and finished off the game as well.

Kansas used a 6-1 spurt to break open a tight game three and silenced the Cyclones’ hitting attack to put them on the verge of defeat after a 30-24 win.

The Jayhawks looked to have the match well in hand early in game four, leading 11-3. Boeve again helped Iowa State find its offense with five more kills and the match was headed the distance after a 30-26 Cyclone victory.

Kansas jumped out to a 4-1 lead in game five, but, after a timeout, the Cyclones’ block brought them back and gave them a 9-8 lead. The Jayhawks went on a 5-2 run, but Iowa State tied it at 12 coming out of another timeout. Kansas was able to fight off two match points, but it was Malcom’s turn to make a big play and she finished off the match with two huge kills.

The Cyclones hit .222 for the match and held Kansas to .157, while outblocking them 14-11 and outdigging them 71-69. The Jayhawks did, however, have 13 service aces to one for Iowa State.

The Cyclones’ next match is against the third-ranked Texas Longhorns Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Hilton Coliseum.