Aug. 28, 2009

Box Score |  Notes

AMES, Iowa - Kelsey Petersen had 10 kills to lead a balanced attack as 13th-ranked Iowa State claimed a hard-fought 25-13, 25-20, 26-24 win over the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Friday night at Hilton Coliseum.

The Cyclones, who reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament last season, controlled the first set but then were pushed hard in the second and third frames by the Panthers, who beat ISU in Milwaukee last season.

Melissa Jansen had 10 kills and Jena Berg eight to lead UWM. Maddie Sueppel added six kills and six blocks while Lauren Felsing collected 18 digs to lead the defensive efforts for the Panthers.

Victoria Henson and Jamie Straube pitched-in with nine kills apiece for the Cyclones.

The match marked the regular season opener for both teams.

The third set was the most entertaining of the night, as the Panthers rallied from a big deficit to nearly extend the match. Iowa State led 16-5 at one point but Milwaukee pulled within 20-14 on a Sueppel kill and within 21-18 on a kill by Jansen.

UWM wasn't done, as a kill by Schmitting brought the Panthers within a point at 22-21 and then two-straight kills by Jansen created a 23-all tie. Henson and Jansen traded kills to make it 24-apiece before a kill by Debbie Stadick and a UWM error allowed the Cyclones to wrap up the match.

The third set performance came on the heels of a second set where UWM remained in striking distance throughout. The strong efforts have the Panthers excited about another opportunity to play the Cyclones again Saturday afternoon.

"You have to get used to the level of play. They are big, they are strong and they are used to playing top teams," UWM head coach Susie Johnson said. "We were being aggressive at the end and made them work for their points. We have a unique opportunity to get another crack at them. I feel like we learned a lot in that match."

The Cyclones took control of the first set with a big run midway through the frame. Milwaukee trailed just 7-6 after a block by Jansen and Sueppel but Iowa State scored seven of the next 10 points to build a 14-9 advantage.

After an ISU service error brought UWM within 14-10, the Cyclones responded with seven in a row to claim a 21-10 lead. Rachel Hockaday started that run with back-to-back kills and ended it with another kill from the left side. A kill by Berg stemmed the tide for a moment but ISU would never let UWM closer than 10 points from there.

Set two was tight throughout, though after nine ties and six lead changes UWM could never push its way back on top. A block by Sueppel and Jansen gave Milwaukee a 7-6 lead and a block by Sueppel and Mary Beth O'Brien gave the Panthers an 8-7 advantage. The Cyclones took the lead for good at 11-10 on a UWM serve error but could never really pull away.

A kill by Jansen had the Panthers within 16-15, but ISU scored three-straight to build a 19-15 lead. A kill by Berg again had Milwaukee within 20-17 and a tip-kill by Schmitting brought the Panthers within 23-20, but a kill by Henson and an ISU ace gave the Cyclones a 2-0 lead in the match.

The Panthers and Cyclones will play again tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m.