The Cyclone volleyball team opened its conference season this weekend with road matches at Nebraska and Colorado. Iowa State fell to the Huskers in three games (15-1, 15-5, 15-6) on Friday night and to the Buffaloes in three games (15-8, 15-4, 15-3) on Saturday.

In Friday’s contest against Nebraska, currently the third-ranked team in the nation, the Cyclones couldn’t seem to put together any sort of offense or defense.

The Huskers hit an impossible .438 from the floor and were led by Megan Korver, who converted a perfect 10 kills in 10 attacks, despite playing in only the first two games.

For Iowa State, the only hitter with a positive percentage was Virginia Hoss, who converted nine of 22 attempts, committing five errors.

Nanette Allen and Melissa Duffield each had four digs to lead the team.

The Cyclones, as a team, managed only one block in the entire three-game match.

On Saturday, Iowa State fared little better against 12th-ranked Colorado.

The Cyclones scored a weekend-high eight points in their first game but posted their worst hitting percentage of the match at .000.

As their hitting percentage improved, their point totals worsened, and the Cyclones had to settle for yet another three-game sweep.

Sarah Lodge was the Cyclones’ nemesis on Saturday, turning in a 15-kill, 5-dig performance to pace the Buffs.

Hoss led the Cyclones for the second straight day, again with nine kills.

Sarah Pieper added 21 assists to the cause, and Allen and Mandy Boyington each contributed 4 digs.

The Cyclone blocking game saw some improvement, with Hoss and Ashley Grundmann leading the nine-block effort with four apiece.

Iowa State is home this weekend to face Baylor and Texas Tech.