Iowa State volleyball got back on track on Wednesday, winning 3-1 at West Virginia to kick off Big 12 play and move to 8-6 (1-0 Big 12) on the season. 

Block stays strong (for a bit)

The Cyclones needed a strong night from their block to make headway against the West Virginia frontline.

What they needed, they certainly got. The Cyclones reached double digits in blocks on Wednesday, the 10th time this season Iowa State has done so. 

The Cyclones were heavily reliant on the block in the third set, when they got into the rhythm on both defense and offense, tallying six blocks and putting doubt into the heads of Mountaineer attackers.

However, the block went missing in the first half of the fourth set. With the Cyclones trying to hold off a Mountaineer challenge, they went the whole set without registering a single block. It was a real letdown for the defense following a strong showing in set three, but it ultimately did not cost them the match.

Stat leaders

Talk about a close match.

Not one set in the entire game was decided by more than four points, and the second set turned into a 35-33 marathon, in which the Mountaineers failed to convert nine set points. This had conference play written all over it.

Both teams had hitting percentages of under .300, with the Cyclones hitting .285 to the Mountaineers’ .225. Iowa State had a 42.9 scoring point percentage to West Virginia’s 39.6 percentage as well.

The Cyclones had fewer attacks (160 to 151) but a more efficient performance, aside from 23 attack errors and 12 service errors. 

Senior Jess Schaben and junior Josie Herbst tied for the Iowa State lead in kills with 19 each, with senior Grace Lazard contributing 16 of her own. Lazard also led the team with a .615 kill percentage.

On the defensive side of the ball, redshirt junior Hali Hillegas led the Cyclones with 21 digs, and freshman Taylor Baranski was right behind her with 12. 

Time to build

Iowa State’s match up with West Virginia marked an important part of the Cyclone season. Not only was it the Big 12 opener, but it was also an opportunity to put a rough non-conference season in the rearview mirror.

Iowa State compiled a 7-6 non-conference record, teetering toward .500 before Wednesday’s win. 

West Virginia was toward the bottom of the Big 12 last season, providing a platform for Iowa State to build as they move deeper into conference play.

With No. 19 Baylor looming, the Mountaineers were a good tune-up for the Cyclones.