The Gophers just couldn’t find that final comeback, as they fell behind 0-6 in the fourth set and didn’t recover. Iowa State played well enough to win, making just five hitting errors in the final set. Minnesota struggled all match long, and was out-hit in the match .288-.207. The Gophers were also out-blocked 10-6. Katie Vatterrodt led Minnesota in the losing cause, collecting 13 kills and hitting .321. ————————————-

The third set was tightly contested, as Vatterrodt continued to carry the team with help from Kelly Schmidt. The two seniors played to attempt to prolong their careers, and led the team to a 24-24 tie.

Miscommunication was rampant on Minnesota’s side of the net, as the Gophers were routinely running into each other in attempts to receive serves or dig balls, or standing by as seemingly-easy digs fell to the floor untouched.

Sophomore Lauren Gibbemeyer came on late for the Gophers, collecting three kills to swing Minnesota from down 21-23 to up 26-25.

Iowa State sailed the final shot of the set long, and Brook Dieter jumped, well, hobbled, for joy as the Gophers picked up the 27-25 win and headed to the other side for the fourth set.

Vatterrodt continued to steadily add four kills per set, and Gibbemeyer emerged late as a solid hitter once again to rack up six kills. Iowa State committed seven hitting errors, contributing to its .180 hitting percentage. For the match, the Cyclones are hitting .279