This weekend, Iowa State had the opportunity to knock off its second Top 25 team of the week at the Montana Invitational and jump back into the Top 25 rankings, but Iowa State went 2-1 on the weekend with a loss to No. 22 Utah in straight sets.

Iowa State dominates its unranked opponents

In Iowa State’s first game, the Cyclone’s defeated Gonzaga 3-1.

Iowa State was able to limit Gonzaga’s attack to a .091 hitting percentage and 48 kills, while Iowa State registered 16 team blocks over four sets.

Avery Rhodes, a sophomore middle blocker for the Cyclones, registered 10 blocks by herself. Rhodes also added eight kills on a .500 hitting percentage.

In addition, Iowa State’s hitters were able to attack the Zag’s to the tune of a .227 hitting percentage and 61 kills, as setter Piper Mauck picked up 54 assists orchestrating the Cyclone attack.

Outside hitters Eleanor Holthaus and Jess Schaben had 16 and 15 kills apiece,  and middle blocker Grace Lazard chipped in 10 kills.

The second game against winless Montana saw the Cyclones win in straight sets and rest Holthaus by reducing her time on the court to only one set, as Hannah Bailey stepped up in her place. Bailey was able to produce 10 kills, a .368 hitting percentage over three sets.

Along with Holthaus resting, Mauck took the match off as freshman setter Jenna Brandt made her first start. Earlier this preseason, Mauck and Brandt were in a close battle for the starting position before the coaching staff settled on Muack as the de facto starter.

In her first start, Brandt had 37 assists.

In that second game, Iowa State was able to register 11 team blocks and Lazard and Bailey were tied for the most individual blocks for the Cyclones with five.

Against Gonzaga and Montana, Iowa State’s blocking thrived as a solid attack cruised Iowa State passed their first two opponents.

Iowa State goes 1-1 against ranked opponents on the week

Iowa State dropped out of the American Volleyball Coaches Association Top 25 to receiving votes after a week one loss Oregon State at home, 3-2. Iowa State was ranked No. 21.

The Cyclones were able to rebound from that loss by defeating No. 17 Northern Iowa on the road in three sets.

If Iowa State was able to beat Utah, who is ranked No. 22, the Cyclones would have undoubtedly jumped back into the Top 25, but the Cyclones instead lost to the Utes in straight sets.

This means that Iowa State will likely still be on the outside looking in in next weeks Top 25 poll.

Iowa State’s block flounders versus Utah

In Iowa State’s first two games of the Montana Invitational, the Cyclones averaged around 3.9 blocks a set through seven total sets.

Against Utah, Iowa State had 3.5 blocks for the entire game.

The Utes were able to register 45 total kills over the game and a .287 hitting percentage.

Utah also had nine blocks over the three sets of the game, limiting Iowa State to 37 kills and a .174 hitting percentage.