Iowa State upset No. 8 Creighton, led by freshman Avery Rhodes.
WICHITA, Kansas – For the eighth time in Iowa State volleyball history, the Cyclones knocked off a top 10 opponent as ISU defeated No. 8 Creighton 3-2 (25-21, 22-25, 25-16, 19-25, 15-8) Saturday at the Shocker Volleyball Classic. The win, ISU's first over a top 10 foe since taking down No. 5 Texas last November, improved the Cyclones to 8-1. Creighton wrapped up non-conference play with a 7-4 overall record.
In her first career start, Avery Rhodes finished with seven kills at a .357 hitting percentage and 10 blocks (two solo, eight assists). Jess Schaben had a double-double of 13 kills and 17 digs, as did Monique Harris at 38 assists and 16 digs and Alexis Conaway with 10 kills and 11 digs. Hali Hillegas had 20 digs.
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First set: Iowa State 25 Creighton 21
Both teams came out in different systems, Iowa State running a 5-1 offense, while Creighton was forced into a 6-2 after usual setter Lydia Dimke was injured last night against Wichita State. ISU got some breathing room with a 5-0 run to move ahead 16-11. The Jays battled back, cutting the lead to one on multiple occasions but could not get the elusive tie. ISU got to set point at 24-21, and put it away when Avery Rhodes, in her first career start, put a huge block on Marysa Wilkinson to make it 25-21 ISU.
Second set: Creighton 25 Iowa State 22
The Jays started to click offensively, getting improved chemistry and an early advantage at 13-7. The Cyclones looked to break up an 8-1 Creighton run by moving back to their 6-2 offense. The move paid off, as the Cyclones worked their way back to tie it at 15-15 on a Samara West kill, and ahead at 17-16 when Jaali Winters fired wide. The Jays battled back ahead at 19-18, and pulled away from there. The Bluejays tied the match when Hannah Bailey was called in the net on a block at 25-22 Jays.
Samara West with the kill! Iowa State wins the fifth 15-8 and knocks off #8 Creighton! #cyclONEnation pic.twitter.com/PBRoXEFlRu
— Cyclone Volleyball (@CycloneVB) September 16, 2017
Third set: Iowa State 25 Creighton 16
Back in the 5-1, ISU ran off six straight points behind strong Genesis Miranda serving to get ahead 7-4. The Cyclone defense smothered the Jay attack, keeping CU in a negative hitting percentage for much of the frame. The Cyclones continued to press from behind the service line and at the net, pushing the advantage to double figures at 21-11. Set point came at 24-16, and was put away immediately on a service ace by Monique Harris at 25-16 Cyclones.
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Fourth set: Creighton 25 Iowa State 19
The Jays went on a 4-0 run to make a 6-5 ISU lead, a 9-6 CU lead. The Cyclone offense began to pick up the pace and was able to help cut the Jays' advantage to a single point on multiple tries. However, the Jays found a 5-1 run to extend its advantage to six at 20-14. Creighton forced a fifth set when Samara West's shot sailed wide at 25-19 Jays.
Avery Rhodes with a massive block on Marysa Wikinson to give ISU the first set 25-21 over #8 Creighton! #cyclONEnation pic.twitter.com/3hQou3fql4
— Cyclone Volleyball (@CycloneVB) September 16, 2017
Fifth set: Iowa State 15 Creighton 8
Iowa State flew out of the gates, forcing the Jays into four attack errors to make it 5-0 Cyclones. The Jays recovered, but some sloppy serving allowed ISU to maintain an 8-5 lead at the change of sides. The Bluejays cut it to 10-8, but Rhodes went off for three-straight kills to open the ISU lead back up to 13-8. ISU wrapped up the match on first asking when Samara West put away her 10th kill at 15-8 ISU.
