LUBBOCK, Texas – Iowa State (12-5, 4-2 Big 12) had to settle for a split week at United Supermarkets Arena as Texas Tech (12-6, 2-4 Big 12) beat the Cyclones 3-1 (22-25, 23-25, 25-21, 22-25). ISU looked poised for a big comeback after taking the third set and leading for the majority of the fourth set, but Texas Tech was able to push ahead in the final points to take the match.
In defeat, ISU was led by 12 kills at .400 hitting from Candelaria Herrera, while Kenzie Mantz also had 12 kills. Eleanor Holthaus had a double-double of 10 kills and 20 blocks, while Jaden Newsome also had a double-double of 44 assists and 11 digs. Marija Popovic led the back row with 23 digs.
Set One: Texas Tech 25 Iowa State 22
The Cyclones committed four-straight attack errors to open the match as the first five points of the match went to the home side. ISU was able to settle in and get within three at 6-3, but TTU continued to control action and moved ahead six at 11-5 on a Brooke Kanas kill. Texas Tech got ahead by as many as eight at 14-6, but the Cyclones were able to get back within three at 17-14 when Kenzie Mantz killed down the line. ISU finally got within two again at 22-20 on a Candelaria Herrera kill, and Herrera combined with Eleanor Holthaus for a stuff to make it one at 22-21. However, it was too late as Tech got the final two points of the set, with Herrera getting blocked by Karrington Jones and Kenna Sauer at 25-22.
Set Two: Texas Tech 25 Iowa State 23
While ISU was able to get on the board earlier and get a piece of the lead, TTU used a 4-0 run that included a Maddie Correa ace to move ahead 6-4. Tech got ahead by four at 10-6, but ISU got consecutive blocks to get within one again at 10-9 and tied it back up at 11-11 after consecutive TTU attack errors. ISU briefly moved back ahead at 14-13 on another Red Raiders attack error, but Tech was able to work back ahead by two at 20-18 on an Alex Torres service ace. ISU roared out of the timeout, going on a 4-0 run powered by two Herrera kills to move back ahead 22-20. However, Tech responded emphatically to close the set, getting four-straight to move onto set point at 24-22, which the home team converted on second asking with a Sauer kill at 25-23.
Set Three: Iowa State 25 Texas Tech 21
Iowa State turned to the bench and got immediate results with Avery Rhodes pushing for consecutive kills to start the set. Annie Hatch also made her first appearance of the night and got a kill to help ISU built a 5-1 advantage. The Cyclone lead got to 10 at 14-4 after a 5-0 Cyclone run continued to push the Cyclones ahead. The Red Raiders got within one at 19-18 on a 9-0 run which included three blocks. Brooke Andersen stopped the run with a kill, and went behind the service line to cap a 4-0 run with an ace to get to set point at 24-19. Iowa State continued the match on third asking when Mantz killed through the seam at 25-21.
Set Four: Texas Tech 25 Iowa State 22
The Cyclones got off to another strong start, claiming four of the first five points to build an early lead. Tech quickly responded this time to tie it up at 6-6, but Iowa State battled ahead again by three at 10-7. Holthaus fired consecutive kills to take the ISU lead to five at 15-10, but the Red Raiders were able to cut back into the Cyclone advantage and tied the set at 16-16 on consecutive aces by Correa. The Cyclones got consecutive blocks to move ahead 19-16, but Tech battled back once again to tie it at 20-20. The set was tied again at 21-21 and 22-22 and finally took its first lead of the set on a Sauer kill at 23-22. Texas Tech wrapped up the match when Holthaus fired wide at 25-22.
Up Next
Iowa State has a bye next weekend and will return to action on Thursday, Oct. 21 against No. 1 Texas at Hilton Coliseum. The match will be at 6:30 p.m
