The ISU volleyball team scored wins against Iowa and Western Illinois before losing to Kentucky Saturday afternoon in the final match of the Cyclone Challenge.

After knocking off Western Illinois in a 3-1 match Friday night, Kentucky proceeded to take apart Iowa in a five-game match (3-2) on Saturday before wrapping up the tournament championship by taking three straight games from Iowa State.

Iowa State 3, Western Illinois 0

Iowa State jumped out to an early 4-0 lead with Lindsey Chapman serving. Western Illinois pulled within two at 17-15, but then the Cyclones had key kills from Ashlie McWee and Katie Kruenegel to give Iowa State a 30-25 win in game one.

The Cyclones had a total of 18 kills in Game 1, with Renae Pruess tallying seven and McWee adding five. The Cyclones dominated Game 2, winning 30-16.

Western Illinois moved out to a 10-5 lead in Game 3. Iowa State closed within two at 21-19 before the Leathernecks started to pull away again. Pruess and McWee teamed up to rally the Cyclones with key kills. The game was tied at 29-29 before McWee put it away for the Cyclones with a kill. Iowa State finished with a 31-29 win and a three-game sweep.

McWee credited her teammates for her key kills and blocks in Game 3.

“All those kills stem from great passing,” McWee said. “The big difference is in our ball control, and that’s why we’re doing as well as we are.”

Crum said the close win in the third game displayed Iowa State’s toughness.

“We hesitated on defense, but our kids made the decision of winning the third game. They showed a great deal of character.”

Kentucky 3, Iowa State 0

The Wildcats’ lineup frustrated the Cyclone offense throughout the match, as they used their size to block many shots and created numerous kills.

Game one saw the Wildcats take control early and pull away for a 30-17 win. Liz McCaslin led the balanced attack for Kentucky with six kills. Pruess led the way for Iowa State with three kills.

In the second game, Iowa State scored the first point before the Wildcats took over, coasting to another 30-17 win for a 2-0 series lead. Kentucky had 21 kills in the game. Iowa State was led by Brittany Dalager, who had three kills and four digs.

The Wildcats took another big lead in game three but, with the score 16-9, the Cyclones began to rally. Kills by Dalager, Kruenegel and Preuss pulled the Cyclones within four at 20-16. A pair of blocks by McWee pulled Iowa State to 20-18. But Kentucky pulled away again and took the game 30-25, completing the three-game sweep.

Iowa State had two players, Koziol and Pruess, named to the all-tournament team. Kentucky’s Leigh Marcum was named Most Valuable Player.

Iowa State now has a 5-1 record for the season.