The Cyclone volleyball team struggled again last weekend and, despite showing considerable improvement, dropped all three of their Western Michigan Tournament matches.

Iowa State opened against the host team, Western Michigan, and looked pretty solid in the early going.

After dropping a hard-fought first game, 15-12, the Cyclones seemed to lose interest, falling in the next two 15-7 and 15-5.

Traci Morin of the Broncos led the attack, collecting 15 kills and six of a team-record 16 service aces.

In their second match, against West Virginia, ISU dropped the first two games, 15-7 and 17-15.

Instead of rolling over, though, the Cyclones showed a lot of heart, initiating a valiant comeback.

Melissa Duffield led the effort in game three, logging nine kills – five for points – as Iowa State claimed a win, 16-14.

In the fourth game, the Cyclones trailed 13-8, but took the final seven points to win 15-13.

Unfortunately, the comeback came up short in game five, as the Mountaineers took six of the first seven points en route to a 15-11 win.

Duffield ended the match with 19 kills and Sarah Pieper equaled her career assist record with 63.

“We finally came out and competed this afternoon,” Head Coach Kerry Miller said after the loss. “We served the ball and executed our offense more efficiently and our kids hustled and showed a lot of enthusiasm throughout the match.”

The Cyclones came back from the disappointing five-game loss by taking two of their first three games against Western Illinois.

However, after a disastrous 15-1 drubbing in game four, Iowa State couldn’t come back in the final game, falling 15-11.

Duffield continued to shine, nailing 22 kills to bring her tournament total to 50.

The Cyclones continued to look outmatched against average competition despite standout performances by the likes of Duffield, Pieper and freshman Nanette Allen.

Iowa State opens its conference season on Friday at Nebraska.