In straight sets, Iowa State was to beat Wyoming in the Cyclones’ first game of the Cyclone Classic. The win was propelled by a dominant first set by Iowa State which the Cyclones won 25-17.

Wyoming came into the weekend with an 8-1 record with a highlight win over then-No. 15 Colorado. Wyoming beat the Buffaloes 3-1 at home, and the Cowgirls’ only loss of the season was 3-2 on the road against Portland.

In addition, Wyoming ranked in the top five in the nation in two team stats.

On the attack, Wyoming ranked fourth in the nation in hitting percentage averaging .306.

The Cowgirls were the third best team in the nation in blocks per set with 3.11. Wyoming’s middle blocker, Reed Copeland, is the top player in the nation in blocks per set, averaging 1.88.

Wyoming had one block in the first set and five all game against Iowa State.

After the game, coach Christy Johnson-Lynch said while Wyoming does a nice job having their players in the right position for blocks, Iowa State’s start was too much for the Cowgirls.

“We started very, very tough tonight,” Johnson-Lynch said. “I thought that was pretty much the match to me.”

Iowa State put pressure on Wyoming in several facets of the game and compromised their defense on several occasions.

Johnson-Lynch said the Cyclones’ serving put pressure on Wyoming.

Grace Lazard, Hali Hillegas and Jenna Brandt all had aces for Iowa State in the first set and Johnson-Lynch said she was impressed by the serving of Taylor Baranski.

Baranski, a freshman defensive specialist, had only nine sets played entering the night. Johnson-Lynch said Baranski has earned more playing time due to the amount of energy she brings and her chemistry on the court.

On defense, the Cyclones had only two team blocks in the first set, but Iowa State was still able to limit Wyoming to a .097 hitting percentage.

The pressure from Iowa State had Wyoming commit eight total errors in the first set.

In addition, Iowa State’s offense was able to open up in the first set to the tune of 12 total kills with a .250 hitting percentage.

Johnson-Lynch said she noticed them passing tighter to the net which allowed the Cyclones’ hitters to “run points.”

“Just getting the ball much higher and tighter at the net has been great to set up our hitters and Grace [Lazard] especially really drew the block tonight and it allowed our outsides and our pins to really take advantage of that,” said Piper Mauck, a sophomore setter.

Despite the block keying on her, Lazard finished the game with seven kills and .278 hitting percentage.

Mauck, who was one of two setters who played Thursday, totaled five assists in the first set and 30 in the entirety of the game as she rotated with Brandt, Iowa State’s other setter.

Brandt had two assists in the first set and five total.

The Cyclones’ libero, Hillegas, said the team also did a better job attacking out of their offensive system, which led to opportunistic points.

Hillegas finished the game with 20 digs after ending the first set with seven total.

Johnson-Lynch said after the game that Hillegas is looking more comfortable during games than she has in past games this season, which should only elevate her play. Earlier this season, Hillegas recorded two games with at least 30 digs en route to winning two separate Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week awards.

Hillegas said the defense and her play has tightened up as a result of her improving communication between herself and the blockers. With her and the blockers on the same page, it has allowed the defense to better receive balls and set up the Cyclone attack.

This season, Iowa State’s Achilles’ heel has been finishing out sets, but the Cyclones did a solid job in all three sets Thursday.

Mauck said Iowa State’s stronger finishes in sets can be attributed to a better consensus amongst the team to “squeeze out energy” to put the sets away.

At 6:30 p.m. Friday, Iowa State will face Iowa with the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Trophy on the line.