The ISU volleyball team fell in straight sets (30-17, 30-26, 30-19) Wednesday to the No. 21 Missouri Tigers in Columbia, Mo.

“I thought we showed some real positive signs of playing competitively,” ISU head coach Linda Crum said. “We kept competing tonight and that’s a plus for us. Now we’ve just got to take that next step from playing competitive to winning.”

With the win, Missouri improved to 14-1 on the season and 4-0 in Big 12 Conference play. Iowa State dropped to 9-7 overall and 0-5 in the Big 12.

The loss was the 16th straight in conference play for the Cyclones, dating back to last season, while the win was the Tigers’ 11th straight over the Cyclones.

Shen Danru led Missouri with 12 kills, followed by Christi Myers and Mary Lauren Smith, who each had 10.

Danru also totaled a career high 18 digs for the second straight match to lead the Tiger defense.

Missouri setter Lindsey Hunter continued her stellar play, recording 43 assists on the night. Hunter continues to led the nation in assists per game at 14.47.

“I thought Missouri played well … they kept us on pace all night,” Crum said.

Junior Renae Pruess led Iowa State with nine kills while senior Mandi Harms and freshman Amanda Craig added seven.

Harms paced the Cyclone defense with 14 digs.

“Mandi did a good job playing in the middle and on the left side,” Crum said. “She really led us tonight.”

Ashlie McWee played her first match since being sidelined with a stress fracture in her foot, totaling five kills and three block assists.

“[Pruess] had a solid game for us … as did Ashlie,” Crum said. “It was Ashlie’s first time playing in a while, so we were encouraged.”

Next action for the Cyclones is on Saturday, Oct. 5, when they host the Baylor Bears at Hilton Coliseum.

First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.

— Emily Arthur