Texas A&M
12-4, 5-3Big 12
Iowa State
15-3, 7-2Big 12
No. 22 Aggies Fall to No. 13 Iowa State
Oct 14, 2009 | Volleyball
Oct. 14, 2009
AMES, Iowa - No. 22 Texas A&M came up short in notching its second consecutive win against a ranked opponent as No. 13 Iowa State held off the Aggies, 26-24, 25-21, 26-24, tonight at Hilton Coliseum.
ISU made the key plays and improves to 6-0 in home matches, with all six matches resulting in sweeps. The Cyclones, off to their best start in school history after 18 matches, also won their sixth consecutive match overall and maintain their hold on second place in the Big 12 standings as they improve to 15-3 overall and 7-2 in the Big 12.
A&M has its three-match winning snapped and drops to 12-4 overall and 5-3 in the Big 12.
The teams traded points to open the match before ISU posted its first of several multiple-point runs to pull away from a 3-3 tie. The Cyclones continued to pull away and used another three-point spurt to build their biggest lead at 21-14. That is when the Aggies began a comeback. Sarah Ammerman had four of her five kills of the set during a 5-2 run for the Aggies that put A&M within 23-19. Jamie Straube then got a kill to put the Cyclones at set point, but Kelsey Black kept the Aggies alive with a kill. Alisia Kastmo then stepped to the service line, and the Aggies reeled off four more unanswered points to knot the set at 24-24. ISU, which outhit A&M .233 to .195 in the set, then got back-to-back kills by sophomore outside hitter Kelsey Petersen to clinch the frame for the Cyclones.
ISU also built a late seven-point lead and seemed in control of the second set when A&M once again mounted a comeback. Trailing 20-16, A&M got back-to-back kills by Jennifer Banse and Mary Batis. Victoria Hanson had a kill to end the rally, but Ammerman came right back with a kill off the block from the back row. Banse then had one of her six kills of the set to put A&M within 21-20, but a serve into the net put the Cyclones back up, 22-20. A&M then hit into the net, but Banse came back with a kill to put the score at 23-21.
A kill by Straube put the Cyclones at set point. A&M's serve reception on the ensuing play placed the ball hanging at the net, and A&M setter Jola Kelner made an attempt to bring the ball back to the Aggies' court but was called for a back row block to end the set.
ISU outhit the Aggies .367 to .294 in the set.
After ISU opened the third set with a kill, A&M would take its first lead of the match with a three-point run. The Aggies never built more than a three-point lead, the last coming at 13-10. The Cyclones managed to tie the score seven times before taking their first lead at 21-20 following an attack error by A&M. The Cyclones followed with a kill and a block to take a 23-20 lead. A&M got a tip kill by Black, and a block by Black and Lindsey Miller put the Aggies within 23-22. Peterson then got a kill to put the Cyclones at match point, but consecutive kills by Black and Batis tied the score for the ninth time in the set. ISU, however, countered with a kill and a block to clinch the set and complete the sweep.
Banse led the Aggies with 13 kills while hitting .611. Ammerman also reached double figures with 11. Freshman libero Tori Mellinger posted a match-high 13 digs as the Aggies outdug the Cyclones, 47-45.
The Cyclones, who outhit A&M, 250 to 211, for the match, were led by Rachel Hockaday and Henson, who had 15 and 12 kills, respectively. Ashley Mass had a team-high 12 digs for the Cyclones.
The Aggies begin a three-match home stand when they return to Reed Arena on Saturday to play host to the Colorado Buffaloes. First serve has been changed to 2 p.m. so fans also will be able to watch the A&M-Kansas State football game, which will be televised by Fox College Sports starting at 6 p.m.
The Colorado match also will be A&M's "Dig Pink" breast cancer awareness match in conjunction with the Side-Out Foundation. Two Aggie moms of current players will receive special recognition for their personal and courageous battles against the disease. All donations will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
