Iowa State Sweeps Colorado

Wednesday, October 11

Boulder, Colo.

7 p.m.

Colorado

Iowa State

Photo by: Chip Bromfield, ProMotion Ltd.

October 11, 2006 | Volleyball

By: Linda Sprouse, Assistant SID

BOULDER ? The University of Colorado (9-6, 5-3 Big 12) dropped its second straight home match to Iowa State (12-6, 4-4 Big 12) 20-30, 25-30, 27-30. Sophomore Lauren Schaefer was the Buff's saving grace with a team-high 12 kills with .476 hitting percentage.

The loss was just the second at home for the Buffs who own a 7-2 record at the Coors Events Center.

“There was some very sloppy play out there,” head coach Pi'i Aiu said. “I don't think we played really well tonight. I don't think we practiced really well this week. We've been easing up on them and I will take the blame for that.

“We have four girls who are right on the verge of being able to play. One of the things I've always believed is if you're hurt you practice hurt or not practice. That way you learn to play hurt. We've got to get through it.”

The win for ISU was the first victory in 19 years in Boulder and the first win for the Cyclones at the Coors Events Center. The last time ISU defeated the Buffs was on Oct. 24, 1987 when CU played in the Balch Fieldhouse.

“I think Iowa State is a pretty good team. They have four losses coming in here, but you look at who they lost to (Texas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Missouri) and they are some of the top teams in our conference. I don't think you can tell anything from win-loss records at this point in the season, because of the way the schedule goes.”

Colorado hit just .188 in the match, in part to ISU's Big 12 leading block. The Cyclones put up 11.0 blocks; accounting for almost half of CU's hitting errors. The Buffs recorded 49 kills on 133 attacks. Besides the 12 kills from Schaefer, Mallori Gibson tallied 10 kills. Ashley Nu'u handed out 35 assists in the loss.

Kristen Karlik picked up a team-high 11 digs. Ashley Nu'u added eight and Callie Webster and Amber Sutherland each recorded six. CU collected just 43

CU took at 9-4 lead to start the first game before ISU used a timeout. The Buffs continued to own the lead, but ISU got back within two points at 14-12. Kills from Alex Buth and Gibson got the Buffs back up by four, but the Cyclones came back with four straight points to tie up the game. ISU went up 20-17, forcing Colorado to use its first timeout. The Cyclones rattled off three more points before CU got back on the board. ISU closed the game at 30-20. The Buffs hit .043 in the set, recording just 13 kills with 11 errors on 46 swings.

The Cyclones took off to a 6-3 advantage in the second game. CU went on a 4-1 run to even the score. The Buffs took the lead at 11-10, but ISU retook the lead at 15-14. The Cyclones took at 22-19 advantage and CU used its first timeout of the frame. Out of the break, Iowa State continued to add to its lead and finished the set 30-25. CU hit better in the frame, notching 19 kills and just seven errors on 43 attacks (.279), but ISU hit .432.

ISU took the first two points to start the third game. Buth recorded a kill to get the Buffs on the board at 1-2. The Cyclones added to their lead with a 7-3 run. ISU extended its advantage to 12-6. The Buffs continued to fight back and got back within two points at 18-20, but ISU took the next two points. CU was unable to stay with the Cyclones and dropped the game 27-30.

Colorado will head to the road to face top-ranked Nebraska on Sat., Oct. 14. The match has been rescheduled for a 2 p.m. start, instead of the original time of 6 p.m. Live stats can be viewed at www.huskers.com.

--COLORADO VOLLEYBALL--