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Iowa State
Iowa State Survives Texas Tech Rally in 3-2 Thriller
October 30, 2013 | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 30, 2013
AMES, Iowa - Iowa State held off Texas Tech's best effort Wednesday night as the Cyclones fought back from losses in the third and fourth sets to take a 3-2 victory (25-20, 25-19, 26-28, 19-25, 15-12) at Hilton Coliseum.
The victory marked the first time Iowa State (13-6; 7-2) had ever defeated the Red Raiders (8-17; 1-8) in a five-set match as the Red Raiders were previously 3-0 all-time against the Cyclones. It was the first time the two schools had gone five frames since Oct. 14, 2006, in Lubbock.
"Give Iowa State credit for finding a way to win in set five," Tech head coach Don Flora said. "Our staff was stoked after set two that they listened to each other and believed in each other and it showed in our production and effort. We need to find a way to get the W, but that was a great collegiate volleyball match."
Iowa State's win did not come without a constant battle from the Red Raiders, who are now 2-2 in five-set matches this season.
Iowa State had five chances, four in the third set and one in the fifth, before the Cyclones were finally able to put Tech away as the Red Raiders battled back numerous times to force a fourth and then a fifth set.
The Red Raiders benefited from a strong night behind the service line, totaling a season-high 11 aces, five of which that came from Nicole Hragyil, who also recorded a career-high 16 digs. Her five aces also marked a career high as well and were the most for a Red Raider since Emily Ruetter recorded five against Central Arkansas last season.
Iowa State, meanwhile, also found success on the serve with 15 aces but struggled to keep it in bounds at times thanks to 14 errors that doubled Tech's total of seven. Both teams finished tied with 76 digs apiece.
Ciara Capezio led the Iowa State attack that boasted three players in double figures as she connected on 16 kills while Tory Knuth and Tenisha Matlock added 10 each as well.
The Cyclones, who hit .379 and .235 over the first two sets, closed the match with a .131 attacking percentage that was just better than Tech's .087 average. Iowa State totaled 32 attacking errors on the night, 13.5 of which that came off Red Raider blocks, Tech's most in a match this season.
Aubree Piper led Tech's defensive efforts at the net with a season-high seven blocks to go along with her seven kills from the middle. Mikia Mills powered Tech with 12 kills off 28 swings while Meghan Stacy came off the bench for nine and Jenna Allen added eight in a near double-double performance.
Tech had four players finish with at least 10 digs in the match, led by libero Rachel Brummitt with 20 followed by Allen with 11 and Marguerite Grubb with 10. Grubb, who was making her first career start at setter, also notched 38 assists for a balanced Tech attack.
Kristen Hahn led all players with 28 digs for the Cyclones while Jenelle Hudson added 21 to go along with her 36 assists from the setter position.
The Red Raiders will return to the road once again this weekend, traveling to Morgantown, W.Va. to face West Virginia at 12 p.m. CT Saturday inside the WVU Coliseum.
