Vondrak provides X-Factor for ISU volleyball against Kansas State

Kevin Horner

After sitting the entire match prior, redshirt junior Natalie Vondrak entered the match in the third set, the Cyclones trailing 12-14. Although the Cyclones held a two-set lead over the Wildcats, Kansas State threatened to extend the match.

Vondrak’s presence in the final 19 points of the match fueled a 13-6 ISU run that resulted in a 25-20 set victory and 3-0 match victory, upping Iowa State’s conference record to 3-1.

Vondrak’s stat line from the final 19 points is as follows:

Total Attacks: 8

Kills: 4

Attacking Errors: 1

Hitting Percentage: .375

Service Aces: 1

Digs: 2

Vondrak’s four kills in her limited time on the court accounted for nearly a third of the ISU kills in that final set on less than one-fifth of the attempts. Her .375 hitting percentage exceeded Iowa State’s percentage by over .200 in that set as well, generating the offensive efficiency that he eluded the Cyclones for the majority of the match.

The match against Kansas State was just the second time Vondrak has posted four or more kills in the last five matches after accomplishing the feat five times in the opening seven matches.

Vondrak and the Cyclones hope to carry this momentum into this weekend as they will face No. 10 Kansas, who remains undefeated.