AMES, Iowa – The No. 11 Iowa State volleyball team dropped its second consecutive match with a 3-0 (25-23, 25-19, 25-16) setback against No. 18 Illinois Sunday afternoon at Hilton Coliseum. The loss took ISU down to 4-1 on the year while Illinois improved to 3-2.
Turning Point of the Match
After a competitive first set saw Illinois come out with a 25-23 decision, the second set looked to be heading the same way with the Cyclones taking an early 7-5 lead. However, the Illini went on a 6-0 run powered by two Liz McMahon kills and a pair of Illinois blocks to get ahead 11-7 and not look back in the second en route to a 25-19 second set victory, and a 2-0 set lead heading to the intermission.
Cyclone Match Ball Goes to…
Mackenzie Bigbee. There were not many bright spots for the Cyclone attack Sunday, but one was the sophomore out of Williamsburg. Bigbee had a match-high 14 kills, she also played all six positions in the third set, allowing her to tie her career-high of five digs.
An honorable mention to Caitlin Nolan. The sophomore had five service aces, including three during a third-set run by the Cyclones. Nolan’s career-best coming into the match was two. She also chipped in five digs.
