Nikki Lindow (15) and Kerra Schroeder (6) jump to block Iowa State's Alison Landwehr at the net Oct. 20 at the Coors Event Center. The Buffs lost three straight sets to the Iowa State Cyclones at the Hilton Coliseum Tuesday. (CU Independent file/Phil McMichael)
The Buffaloes fell in straight sets 25-13, 25-8, 25-22 to the No. 16 Iowa State Cyclones at the Hilton Coliseum on Tuesday.
The Buffs’ record falls to 6-18 overall (3-15 Big 12). The Cyclones improve to 18-7 (11-6 Big 12).
CU had a tough battle, especially after the end of the first set when an injury took junior middle blocker Anicia Santos out of the match.
“This was slated to be a tall order for this young team with its shorter-than-usual turnaround and a road matchup against a high caliber team like Iowa State,” head coach Liz Kritza said. “When we had to make some lineup changes, it turned into the toughest challenge this group has faced this season.”
Colorado recorded 39 digs in the match. Sophomore outside hitter Kerra Schroeder made 13 of CU’s 24 kills.
Iowa State came out to an early 10-4 lead to start the first. CU got within five to narrow the lead to 14-9, but never got the momentum to come back. The Buffs were limited to just six kills – five of which were Schroeder’s – in the set, and fell 25-13.
Once again, in the second set, CU only came up with six kills, and a 10-2 ISU lead was too much to battle back from. The Buffs dropped the set 25-8.
The third set was made up of runs by both teams. The Cyclones went up 14-7 in the third, but a 7-2 run by the Buffs helped narrow the margin to two points. Iowa State then took the next four points, but the Buffs went on another run cutting ISU’s lead to 22-20. CU fought off two match points, but lost 25-22.
“The fight these players showed in the third set, after adjusting to the necessary changes, revealed the character of this team and what we must take from tonight’s tough loss,” Kritza said. “This is what teams do; they change and adjust as the season twists and turns. Our entire group stays positively focused on progress and continuing to take steps in the right direction.”
The Buffs return to Colorado for their final home match of the season to face Texas Tech at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. Seniors Rosie Steinhaus and Kristin Martell will be honored before and after the match.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Marlee Horn at Marlee.horn@colorado.edu.
