The ISU volleyball team suffered yet another blow to its morale Wednesday night in a 3-0 sweep by Missouri at Hilton Coliseum.

The Cyclones seemed to be struggling in every skill department, from their poor ball handling to the lackluster offense. Missouri didn’t waste its time and threw salt in Iowa State’s wounds with its sharp execution.

“Our outsides struggled tonight, and Missouri put up a great block,” said ISU head coach Linda Crum. “Their serves took us out of our system, and they did an excellent job of executing their game plan. It was a tough night for us.”

Missouri busted out in game one after Iowa State ticked off a few opening points by creating a 9-4 deficit before the first ISU timeout. Iowa State summed up the game with a minus-.021 hitting percentage while Missouri charged through with .389.

The Tigers were paced by the quick setting of junior Lindsey Hunter. A string of serves by sophomore Abbie Booth increased Missouri’s lead to 25-15, and hesitant play by Iowa State resulted in the 30-18 Tiger win.

Game two produced much of the same, including the 30-18 score. The searing blocks continued while Iowa State’s serving game faltered and passes were botched.

“Our ball control and passes weren’t there, and, from that, they got a kill every time,” said ISU freshman Erin Boeve. “We fell apart and couldn’t get back in the right momentum.”

The Cyclones refused to roll over and notched an 11-8 lead in game three. Missouri found a way to trickle back in, however, and tied it at 15 before an ISU timeout.

Again powered behind the serving of Booth, the Tigers garnered a quick five points and surged ahead on an 11-1 run. Iowa State sacrificed a 14-9 lead to fall to Missouri 30-22.

“It all stemmed from our serving; it gave the other team what they wanted,” said ISU junior hitter Ashlie McWee.

“If we had served well, it would have changed our game 100 percent.”

Missouri was powered by junior Lisa Boyd, who tallied 14 kills.

Iowa State got seven kills from McWee to lead the team. Brittany Dalager paced the digs with 16.

Crum said that in the first half of game three, her team did a great job with a different look on its offense, but its ball handling was the root of its problems throughout — as well as its motivation.

“We stepped back and stopped fighting,” Crum said. “We challenged them but didn’t fight well, and our girls have to learn that when you get pushed you fight back.”