The ISU volleyball team fell to .500 for the first time this season at the hands of the No. 1 team in the nation.

Indestructible Nebraska arrived at Hilton Coliseum with a 22-0 overall record and a 13-0 mark in the conference, and notched another win in both categories. The Huskers dropped Iowa State to a 13-13 overall record and a 6-9 standing in the Big 12 with a 3-0 sweep Sunday at Hilton Coliseum.

The Cyclones braved the onset of the Huskers with a much tougher front, holding their own in the first two games. In the teams’ first meeting, Nebraska held Iowa State to only eight points in the first game.

“We played better this time and were much more aggressive,” said coach Christy Johnson.

“We looked a little scared the first time when they came out swinging hard and high, and we took a huge step from that match.”

Iowa State nabbed the first two points in the initial game, and steadily kept the lead through a series of kills on both sides of the net. The Cyclones showed no signs of intimidation as it matched the Huskers play for play.

Nebraska’s fluid play caught up to Iowa State, however, and the Huskers quietly connected points together to take the lead. Nebraska’s blocking, as well as six kills from 6-foot-5-inch standout Sarah Pavan, led to a 30-24 win.

Nebraska hit .341 to Iowa State’s .222, and Jessica Klein and Katie Jessen each earned four kills for the Cyclones.

“We executed our game plan against them, and it was just a couple of points here and there,” setter Amanda Craig said. “Our attitude and mentality kept us in the game.”

Game two saw Iowa State holding strong, eventually tying up the game at nine with a block from Craig and Klein. Iowa State’s blocking game came into full effect with stuffs from Erin Boeve and Meghan Ferrie as the Cyclones would outblock the Huskers by two.

Neither team wasted much time with quick successions of points, but Christina Houghtelling’s five kills propelled the Huskers to a 30-23 victory. Tracy Stalls contributed four kills, and Jennifer Saleaumua notched five digs.

“We were scrappier and picked up balls off our coverage that were great,” Craig said. “But once we gave them a little they would take a lot.”

That statement proved true in the third game as Nebraska rattled off an early 14-6 lead. Iowa State took a timeout at 19-10 but got lost after an 8-1 Nebraska run. Dani Mancuso sliced the final kill off Jessen’s fingers for the 30-12 Nebraska win.

“Nebraska really woke up on their side and played much harder,” Johnson said.

“We had troubles with their hitting no matter what because they are so physical, and it was no surprise with that aspect.”

Pavan led both teams with a match-high 14 kills, followed by 10 from Houghtelling. Jessen had a team-high nine for Iowa State, and Klein notched eight with a .667 hitting percentage.

The Huskers outhit Iowa State .365 to .143, but only managed one more block than the Cyclones. Nebraska’s Maggie Griffin and Dani Busboom combined for 46 assists, while Craig had 26 for Iowa State.

“Pavan was unstoppable,” Johnson said.

“We could put three blockers on her and she’d still be able to hit over and around us.”

Johnson was pleased with Jessen’s performance.

“She swung high and hard and made the right shots and decisions,” she said.