The Cyclones defeated the Shockers in three straight sets to win the Shocker Volleyball Classic.
WICHITA, Kansas – No. 19 Iowa State claimed the Shocker Volleyball Classic title with a 3-0 (25-21, 37-35, 25-23) sweep of hosts Wichita State Sunday at Charles Koch Arena. The win improved ISU to 9-1 on the season, while the Shockers are now 8-3.
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The Cyclone effort was led by Tournament MVP Jess Schaben, who had 16 kills on the afternoon. She was joined in double figures by Samara West (13 kills) and Grace Lazard (10). In the backrow All-Tournament Team honoree Hali Hillegas had 30 digs, while Alexis Conaway had 11. Monique Harrisalso earned All-Tournament honors with 46 assists, nine digs and three blocks.
SWEEP! No. 19 Iowa State wins the third 25-23, the match 3-0 and the Shocker Volleyball Classic! #cyclONEnation pic.twitter.com/HlK572sdV2
— Cyclone Volleyball (@CycloneVB) September 17, 2017
Set One: Iowa State 25 Wichita State 21
Starting the match in a 5-1 offense, the Cyclones and Shockers used strong offense to keep each other in range, with the largest lead being two in the first half of the set. Wichita State's 13-11 advantage was the last time either team would have a multiple point edge until 22-20, when Genesis Miranda fired an ace to put the Cyclones ahead by a pair. Avery Rhodes and Jess Schaben stuffed Abbie Lehman to bring up set point, which was put away on first asking when Schaben put away a WSU overpass to make it 25-21 Cyclones.
Set Two: Iowa State 37 Wichita State 35
Wichita got the first three points of the set, which ISU knotted back up at 5-5, but pushed back ahead to 12-7 by blocking Schaben. The Cyclones chipped away, and were eventually let back into the set via a 4-0 run capped by a Schaben kill to knot it up at 18-18. Samara West continued to power the ISU offense, before the breakthrough finally came via an Izzy Enna ace to move ahead 23-22. The marathon set ensued from there, as ISU had to fight off nine Wichita State set points, eventually taking the set to 35-35. ISU got its fourth chance at set point on an Avery Rhodes kill, and finally ended the set when Jess Schaben won a 50-50 at the net at 37-35.
Set Three: Iowa State 25 Wichita State 23
The Cyclones got out stronger of the two teams, powering their way to an 8-4 lead, but the Wichita State block stepped up with a 7-1 run to push the home side ahead 11-10. ISU trailed 16-14, but ran off a 7-1 run guided by back-to-back triple blocks by Monique Harris, Grace Lazard and Schaben to make it 21-17 Iowa State. Wichita State kept battling, cutting the Cyclone advantage to one at 23-22, but ISU got to match point at 24-22. The sweep was wrapped up when Abbie Lehman was called illegally over the net to make it 25-23 Cyclones.
Player of the Game
Jess Schaben. The junior powered the ISU offense en route to earning Shocker Volleyball Classic MVP honors. Schaben finished the day with 16 kills, nine digs and three blocks.
Up Next
Iowa State begins Big 12 play on Saturday at Hilton Coliseum against Oklahoma. First serve between the Cyclones and Sooners will be at 4 p.m., with Cyclones.TV Powered by Mediacom broadcasting the match.
