With a chance to start anew in the second round of Big 12 action, the ISU volleyball squad failed to turn the tables and succumbed to Oklahoma in three games on Saturday at Hilton Coliseum.

Though the teams were of similar standings, Oklahoma (10-9, 2-9 in the Big 12) came equipped with a more polished and powerful game. The highlight for the Sooners was their blocking game — they put up 11 blocks compared to Iowa State’s seven.

“Oklahoma executed when it mattered, and we were soft tonight,” said ISU coach Linda Crum. “Personally I felt bad for the fans, because they didn’t deserve to see this. We should’ve had a chance in this match, and we didn’t put forth the effort.”

The first game ran into extra points as the evenly-matched squads battled for the premier victory of the night, but Oklahoma won out, 31-29.

The Cyclones couldn’t seem to shake the lead from their feet in the second game and gaping holes were left open in the defense for Oklahoma points. Oklahoma took the game, 30-25.

Despite leading most of the third game, Iowa State couldn’t contain the Sooners and fell again in extra digits at 33-31. That squandered lead set the stage for a showcase of hitting for sophomore Joanna Schmitt and senior Keri Coats, who tallied the final points to take the win.

“They are really the heart and soul of that team,” Crum said. “They lead the team and do a great job.”

Boeve expressed the frustration her team is swimming in at this point in the season.

“We thought we’d be over this losing hump by now. We can play well for a long time, like we showed in game three, but we need to learn how to finish,” she said.

Schmitt led the Sooners with a double-double on the night, tallying 17 kills and 11 digs.

The Sooners had 53 kills to Iowa State’s 48 and held the Cyclones to a .129 hitting percentage while garnering a .185 themselves.

Boeve was the playmaker for Iowa State, scrabbling up an impressive showing en route to 18 kills and a hitting percentage of .382 on 34 tries. She was followed by sophomore Nicole Lorenzen who finished with 12 kills, 14 digs.

“Erin had a great match and did a good job siding out for us,” Crum said. “Nicole pulled herself back into the match and came through with some good swings and other things for us.”

The Cyclones, now 8-12 overall and 1-10 in conference action, said they are hoping this match doesn’t set the tone for the remainder of Big 12 play.

“We’re better than what we were tonight, and hopefully this was a one-time performance,” Crum said. “We’ll be disappointed if this is how we play for the second half.”