After dropping the first set, Minnesota handed over a 14-20 lead to the Cyclones in the second set, and the Sports Pavilion’s crowd seemed lost for good. Katie Vatterrodt continued to play well, adding four more kills, and senior middle blocker Kelly Schmidt gave Vatterrodt some help on the offensive end, collecting four kills on four attempts. The Gophers fought back to 21-23, as a rare Cyclone hitting error forced Iowa State to take a timeout, and the crowd, desperate for something to cheer about, erupted. Things got louder two points later, as Katie Vatterrodt tied the game on a kill. Then the Gophers re-tied the game at 24 as Gophers’ usual stellar defense, which was mysteriously absent for most of the first two sets, magically reappeared in a long point which ended in Lauren Gibbemeyer reaching up with two hands to direct the ball to the floor, tying the game. Iowa State maintained its composure however, and finished off the match with help from Victoria Henson’s 5 second-set kills. Brook Dieter hopped on the bike during the set, but is not starting the third set. ————————————

Minnesota came out of the gate sluggish, and struggled with its passing to help kill its own offense, losing the first set 14-25.

Iowa State didn’t make many mistakes with the ball, committing just two errors as it jumped out to a 9-3 lead early, extending it to 9-18 quickly on a hitting percentage just shy of .500.

Minnesota meanwhile seemed out of rhythm defensively, as the Gophers found themselves out of position often in the set.

Senior Katie Vatterrodt came out of the gate hot offensively, killing four of five attempts, but she didn’t receive much help in the set as the rest of the team hit .097 in the set.

Iowa State was led by Rachel Hockaday, who had 7 kills, and Victoria Henson, who added six.

Minnesota was out-blocked 3-1 in the set.