The ISU volleyball squad opened Big 12 play Wednesday night against No. 10 Missouri and, despite inspired play from the Cyclones, the team was swept by the powerhouse Tigers.

Missouri pounded out a .327 hitting percentage on the night, but Iowa State was a presence at the net, out-blocking its opponent 7-6. Though the scores (30-20, 30-24, 30-16) might have reflected Tiger domination, coach Christy Johnson said her team was never far from victory.

“We really hung with them the first two games and we were right with them the whole time,” she said. “But in that third game we lost our focus and were just not ready to play.”

Missouri hit .469 in the third game to overpower the Cyclones, but Johnson said the team played with heart until the end.

“The games were a difference of just a couple points,” she said. “We showed that if we can play well against them, not being nervous or intimidated, we can really come out and play well against anyone.”

Johnson said the Cyclones were never physically out-matched by the Tigers, and their blocking and defense really shone in the games.

Tiger setter Lindsey Hunter was a force to be reckoned with, as she churned out 41 assists on the night, providing kills to top hitters Shen Danru and Nicole Wilson, who had 12 apiece.

“Their setter is just exceptional,” Johnson said. “When they passed well, it was hard to keep up because she could get it anywhere she wanted for them. But we did a good job at slowing down their hitters, and we held their top hitter to a pretty low percentage.”

For the Cyclones, junior Jessica Kleinmade an impact by tallying a career-high 11 kills in her first Big 12 match.

“Every game was a chance to play our offense, and we just need to learn to be a little more consistent,” Klein said. “Our blocking slowed their hitters a little, and we had some great serves that took them out of their offense.”

Johnson said by shooting the ball to Klein more, the team was able to open up more of the right side and outside for different shots.

“She really put the ball away for us tonight,” Johnson said. “She was a terminator.”

Katie Jessen chipped in eight kills on the night, while Amanda Craig passed out 31 assists on the night. Katie Churm and Nicole Lorenzen provided formidable defense for the Cyclones, notching nine and six digs, respectively.

Johnson said the loss will be a stepping stone for the team’s match against Texas next Saturday.

“Hopefully every time you lose you can learn something from it, and though this was a hard match to open up to, every team in the Big 12 is good,” she said.

“We did different things and got the ball to more people, but we have to learn in that third game to just fight.

“We played hard tonight, and it will show the next time we’re on the court.”