The Iowa State women’s volleyball team started off its season in a big way this weekend, going 2-1 and claiming second place in the Official All-Star Cafe Classic in Las Vegas, Nev.

The Cyclones came out strong in the first round, defeating Southern Illinois, 15-11, 15-11, 4-15, 15-13 and earning head coach Linda Grensing her first win in her ISU coaching debut

The Cyclones won the first two games with a pair of 15-11 victories to take an early two games to none lead in the match.

After Southern Illinois battled back to take the third game, 4-15, ISU reeled off eight straight points in the fourth game to win the match and earn their first win of the season.

Led by senior Sheila Lopez’s 19 kills in the match, the Cyclones looked optimistic about their first win.

“We worked as a team, blocked tons of balls and our passing was a lot better,” said Lopez.

Junior Stacy Nicks added 12 kills and a team-high six blocks to help the Cyclones outblock Southern Illinois, 13-10.

Facing the host team and eventual champion UNLV in their second match of Friday’s play, ISU was swept 3-0.

After losing the first game 15-11, the Cyclones weren’t able to battle back and dropped the next two, 15-4 and 15-6.

The win allowed UNLV to stay unbeaten on the season, improving their record to 2-0, while ISU dropped to 1-1.

Led by Lopez and Nicks offensively with nine kills apiece, the Cyclones hit .040 while UNLV pounded out a .276 hitting percentage.

Sophomore Nanette Allen contributed four kills and a team-high seven digs in the loss.

The ISU women’s volleyball team met UMKC Saturday afternoon in the final round of the Official All-Star Cafe Classic.

Playing for a second-place finish, the Cyclones downed the Kangaroos of UMKC in a spirited five-game match, 3-2.

The win raised ISU’s record to 2-1 on the season, while the loss dropped UMKC to 1-2.

ISU pulled ahead early, taking the first game from UMKC by a score of 15-12.

After falling in the second game, the Cyclones battled back with a 15-4 win in the third game before eventually falling 8-15 in the fourth.

This took the match into the fifth and deciding set, which ISU won 15-6, earning the match victory.

Led by Lopez and freshman Mia Arnborg, the Cyclones hit .308 from the floor compared to the Kangaroos’ .212 hitting percentage.

Lopez did most of the damage, blasting 18 kills for a .419 percentage.

Arnborg and Nicks added 11 kills and six digs each.

Defense was a strong facet for the Cyclones against the Kangaroos, as they registered 13.5 blocks as a team.

Arnborg, Nicks and Teri Williams led in blocking, tallying six apiece.

“I think the games went well,” middle blocker Nicks said. “We played good together. Even in the UNLV game, we had our good moments.

“The biggest thing we have to improve on is our defense and blocking,” she said. “Our defense just needs a little fine-tuning, but otherwise our passing seemed good, so that’s a positive.”

All-in-all, the outcome of the tournament seemed positive.

“I only have one thing to say,” outside hitter Sheila Lopez said. “It went better than expected.”

The next action for the Cyclones will be Tuesday, Sept. 14, when they take on Northern Iowa in an intrastate battle in Cedar Falls.