Wildcats Slip to Cyclones

MANHATTAN, Kan. - The Kansas State Wildcats could not come away from Day Two of the Ultimate Wildcat Weekend with a win as the volleyball team fell in straight sets to No. 8 Iowa State on Saturday night. K-State lost to the Cyclones 19-25, 19-25, 10-25 in a match head coach Suzie Fritz said her team could not keep consistent play going long enough.

"I felt like we were in it the first couple of games," Fritz said. "I think sustaining consistent play continues to be the difference between us being able to close the gap against at Top 10 team - and Iowa State is a legit Top 10 team."

K-State (10-16, 4-12 Big 12) did not have any players reach double digits in kills with JuliAnne Chisholm leading the Wildcats with seven. The team combined to hit .090 on the night while Iowa State (22-4, 14-3) hit at a .306 clip.

The Cyclones had three players post double digits in kills led by Victoria Henson with 15 as she also had a double-double with 12 digs. Rachel Hockaday and Jamie Straube tallied 11 and 10 kills respectively. Libero Ashley Mass posted 24 digs to continue leading the conference while K-State's libero Lauren Mathewson also had a good night with 14 digs in the three sets. Fritz said Mathewson's play was solid, but it was not enough to get a win as more pieces needed to come together against the Cyclones.

"Mathewson played great. She's still digging a lot of balls," Fritz said. "That doesn't do you any good, though, if we're not bettering the ball and coverting into points. I feel like she played with a lot of heart."

K-State travels for its Wednesday match to face No. 2 Texas in Austin at 6:30 p.m. before Senior Day on Saturday against Colorado at 2 p.m. from Ahearn Field House.

- k-statesports.com -