AMES – Iowa State swept No. 18 Baylor in three sets Wednesday in Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones won the first two sets 25-23 and the third 25-21 in a rebound sweep that followed their four-set loss at No. 24 Colorado on Saturday.
“We executed really well from start to finish,” Iowa State head coach Christy Johnson-Lynch said. “It felt very ‘business.’ It wasn’t too high, it wasn’t too low. Just execute, execute.”
Cyclones spread around offensive attack
The Cyclones did not see a player with 10 or more kills in the match, but three players kept the Bears’ defense on their heels. Senior middle blocker Tierney Jackson, freshman middle blocker Reagan Hanfelt and freshman outside hitter Alea Goolsby each had nine kills.
“That was exactly what we wanted,” Jackson said. “A lot of teams have been able to read if we’re pin heavy or know where the ball is going out of system. As soon as we got back from Colorado, coach told us that we need to be able to get Morgan [Brandt] comfortable with setting me on the slide out of system, or the middles being up in transition.”
Jackson finished the night with nine kills and a .409 kill percentage. Jackson also had five blocks in the match.
Hanfelt also had nine kills with only 19 attempts, leading to a .474 kill percentage, her highest in her career. Hanfelt also led the team with six blocks.
“I literally can’t do it without every single person on this team,” Hanfelt said. “Pulling the blocks, my setter [Brandt] was amazing tonight, like she always is.”
Van Gorp digs deep in victory
Sophomore libero Rachel Van Gorp tallied 25 digs in Iowa State’s victory, averaging 8.3 per set. Her season average per set coming into Wednesday was 4.56, and her career average was 3.97.
“Van Gorp played one of the best matches I’ve seen from a libero,” Johnson-Lynch said. “Twenty-five digs in three sets at this level, with those [Baylor] hitters, it’s insane.”
Van Gorp’s 25 digs were the third-most this season and her first three-set match of the year with 20 or more digs. Her 8.3 per set average was the highest this season.
Hilton Magic continues to carry through the season
The Cyclones are now 7-0 at home this season following Wednesday’s victory. The Cyclones have only lost four sets this season at home, and no opponent has won two sets against them at Hilton Coliseum.
The energy that the fans provide is what makes Iowa State unique compared to other home environments, according to Johnson-Lynch.
“They make Hilton what it is,” Johnson-Lynch said. “We have such an incredible fanbase, and it’s special. All the Big 12 coaches tell me that they hate coming here because it’s so difficult to play in this gym.”
The Cyclones are now 17-4 this season and 1-1 in their three-game stretch of top-25 opponents. They await No. 6 Arizona State on Friday night in a highly anticipated matchup, where fan energy will be necessary for a possible upset. The match will start at 6:30 p.m. and can be watched on ESPN+.
