No. 21 Iowa State, despite an early setback, began the season with a victory at Hilton Coliseum on Aug. 28. The Cyclones defeated the Flyers in four sets to begin the Cyclone Invitational (20-25, 25-22, 25-18, 25-22).

In the opening set, an early deficit proved too much to overcome as the Cyclones, after falling behind 0-8 to begin the game, fell to the Flyers, 20-25. Hitting errors and inaccurate passes riddled the ISU side of the court, and Dayton capitalized. Despite three kills from freshman Jess Schaben in her NCAA debut, the Cyclones never drew within three points in the opening set.

Junior Ciara Capezio left the opening set early with an ankle injury and did not return.

The momentum shifted in the second set as the two teams matched each other’s points early — beginning the set 8-8. Once Iowa State began to pull away, however, there was no looking back. The Cyclones decreased their attack errors and increased their kills to claim the second set, 25-22. 

Schaben again led the Cyclones in kills with four in the second set. Sophomore Monique Harris led the setting effort with six assists, and senior Caitlin Nolan notched seven digs to lead the defensive front.

Redshirt junior Natalie Vondrak captained the ISU charge in the third set with two early kills—putting the Cyclones up 10-6 on the Flyers. The ISU volleyball team held its lead throughout the third set, fueled by a late 7-0 run, to claim the third set handily.

Although Schaben failed to register a kill in the third set, she was aided by her veteran teammates. Redshirt junior Morgan Kuhrt and Vondrak each notched four kills of their own—junior Suzanne Horner and Harris each setting up five assists.

The Cyclones carried their accrued momentum through the third set—again led by Schaben, who notched four additional kills—claiming the set and the match.

Schaben led the Cyclones with 11 total kills on the match.

Iowa State will continue the Cyclone Invitational against North Dakota 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 29 at Hilton Coliseum