The Kansas State volleyball team traveled to Ames, Iowa on Friday to try and even the season series against the Cyclones.
In the first matchup this season on Oct. 10th, the Wildcats lost in four sets. With three players finishing with double-digit kills, Iowa State was able to win the first two sets, before giving up the third set to K-State.
On Friday, the Cyclones held a .307 hitting percentage to K-State’s .137. Redshirt senior libero Devan Fairfield earned a team-high in digs with 19, and freshman opposite hitter Gloria Mutiri contributed an ace.
Iowa State claimed the first set 25-15 with four blocks and a 16-11 edge over the Wildcats in kills.
K-State evened the match in the second set 25-21. There were 11 ties and four lead changes.
In the third set, the lead changed six times and the scored sat tied 13 times. K-State went on a five point scoring run, and it looked like they could take the set. Iowa State then earned the last four set points, claiming the set 26-24.
Iowa State won the match in the fourth set with a final score of 25-15. K-State scored four points to start the set, but Iowa State scored six points to begin a 9-1 run.
Graze Lazard led the Cyclones with a .500 hit percentage and 17 kills. The Cyclones had 67 kills on the night to 49 from the Wildcats. Redshirt senior outside hitter Kylee Zumach earned 14 of K-State’s kills while junior middle blocker Elle Sandbothe and senior outside hitter Alyssa Schultejans each recorded 11.
The Cyclones now lead the all-time series 53-41. K-State has not won a match in Ames since 2007. K-State head coach Suzie Fritz is now 17-19 against Iowa State.
K-State’s record now sits at 12-9 overall and 2-8 in conference play.
The next match for K-State will be against West Virginia on Nov. 3. The Mountaineers are 10-12 this season and 2-7 in conference play. They beat Texas Tech in their last match on Wednesday in four sets.
The match is set to begin at 7 p.m. in Ahearn Field House and will be streamed on ESPN3. Fans can also listen to the match on KMAN radio.
