Cyclones use early leads to defeat Red Raiders

Chris Conetzkey

The ISU volleyball team was not going to let history repeat itself.

A year ago, the Cyclones (10-5, 4-1 Big 12) lost in five games to Texas Tech in Lubbock. Saturday was a different story, however, as Iowa State took down the Red Raiders 3-1 (30-15, 30-25, 28-30, 30-17) in front of a crowd of 624.

Coach Christy Johnson said beating Tech on the road was important after losing to them at the United Spirit Arena last year.

“We have won a couple good matches on the road,” Johnson said. “Tech is a good team, so I’m real happy to go down there and win.”

The Cyclones dominated every statistical category, whether it be offensive or defensive. Iowa State had 18 more kills and hit .314 compared to only .093 for Texas Tech. The Cyclones also outdug the Red Raiders 80-59 and outblocked them 12-2.

Senior Erin Boeve led Saturday’s dominance in her second game back at middle blocker, nearly recording a triple-double with 17 kills, nine digs and eight block assists.

Johnson said Boeve is becoming a complete player, along with her prowess in the middle of the court.

“She is very dominant there, both attackwise and blockwise,” Johnson said. “But to have a middle blocker that also stays on the court and passes and serves tough, she is pretty unique in that way.

“She is such a physical middle blocker, but also contributes so much in the back row.”

ISU freshman Ashley Mass, the Big 12 leader in digs during conference games, had 23 on Saturday, and sophomore setter Kaylee Manns had 51 assists. Senior Lauren Cummings, junior Jen Malcom and redshirt freshman Victoria Henson were some of the main beneficiaries of those assists, all recording double-digit kills.

Early leads were important for the Cyclones in the match, as big opening runs led to two of their game victories. The Cyclones rode a 14-4 lead to win game one, and, after Cummings broke Tech’s serve with a kill, Iowa State ripped off a 10-1 run to start game four.

The Cyclones are off to their best conference start since 1995, when they started 6-1 in the Big Eight.

“We are still trying to find the best system and lineup,” Johnson said. “Even though we haven’t always played great, we’ve continued to keep at it and find a way to win.”

The Cyclones’ next match will be back at Hilton Coliseum at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday with the Kansas Jayhawks, who are 9-6 (2-3 Big 12) after being swept by top-ranked Nebraska last week.