The ISU volleyball team fell in straight sets, 22-30, 23-30, and 25-30, Sunday to Big 12 Conference opponent Texas A&M.

The loss dropped Iowa State to 3-6 overall and 0-4 in the Big 12 while the No. 16-ranked Aggies improved to 10-1 and 3-0 in the conference.

Despite the loss, ISU head coach Linda Crum said the Cyclones played a great match.

“Everyone played really well,” Crum said. “It was a balanced attack. That’s really our goal in every match. It was nice to see everyone play well and be aggressive.”

Iowa State played Texas A&M close through all three games, but the Aggies were able to come out on top.

The Cyclones did dominate in one area collecting 10 blocks to the Aggies’ four.

“We work so hard on back row and front row play,” middle blocker Julie Mitchell said.” Front row players just try to do their defensive job, and their defensive job is basically for two to go up for the block … It’s just finally coming through for all of us now.”

Mitchell said the Cyclones had specific goals in mind when trying to stop the Aggies.

“We just tried to be competitive with them especially after our first two games,” she said. “We just tried to get out of the rut … Basically, our goal was to stay competitive, to stay with them point for point, sideout for sideout.

Junior Mandi Harms led the balanced attack for Iowa State collecting nine kills and 14 digs while freshman Brittany Dalager and sophomore Steph Suntken added seven kills apiece. Dalager also added 19 digs to aid in the defensive effort.

Junior setter Sara Stribe paced the offense with 31 assists.

The next match for the Cyclones will be on Wednesday when they’ll travel to Lubbock, Texas to meet the Texas Tech Red Raiders. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.