AMES – The Iowa State women’s volleyball team defeated the Texas Tech Red Raiders Thursday night in four sets to advance to 11-2 (1-1).  

Blocks were a big emphasis in the leadup to the match against Texas Tech. 

“Marc [Neef] and Christy [Johnson-Lynch] are always, like, block, block, block,” freshman middle blocker/right side hitter Reagan Hanfelt said.

Hanfelt recorded her career best, two solo blocks, in her first start as a Cyclone. 

Last time out against Big 12 foe BYU, the Cyclones were out-blocked 2-11. 

In the second set, strong defensive play led to a comeback to ultimately take the set. 

After a timeout taken by Iowa State head coach Johnson-Lynch, when the Red Raiders led 23-21, the Cyclones stormed back. 

While no blocks were recorded officially on that set-winning run, the Cyclone wall stopped many Texas Tech prospective kills. 

“I think we can still dig the balls behind our block, but we are blocking more balls,” Johnson-Lynch said.

The Cyclones outblocked the Red Raiders 10-9 in the four-set victory. 

In the fourth set, the Cyclones gave themselves a 17-14 lead by an out-of-system play to get the ball over the net and then a solo block by junior middle blocker Pam McCune to finish the rally.

McCune led the team in blocks with four against Texas Tech. The Cyclones had 10 total. 

“And whenever you get a block … everyone plays harder,” Hanfelt said.

Blocks were a big piece of the puzzle in the victory, in both momentum and the scoreboard.

The Cyclones will host the University of Central Florida at 2 p.m. Saturday. The game will be live-streamed on ESPN+.