HOUSTON — Iowa State dropped a four-set Big 12 volleyball match to Houston on Sunday afternoon, falling by set scores of 25-21, 20-25, 25-17, 25-20. The loss brings Iowa State to 12-8 overall and 6-3 in Big 12 play, while Houston improved to 12-8 overall and 5-4 in conference action.
Despite the setback, Iowa State’s Mesaiya Bettis logged a career-high and match-leading 23 kills while hitting .436. The performance marked the first 20-plus kill match of her career and her fourth consecutive contest
finishing in double figures. Alea Goolsby was the second Cyclone with double-digit kills, recording 12 kills while hitting .345.
Defensively, Rachel Van Gorp led Iowa State with 21 digs, marking her seventh match with 20 or more digs this season and the 20th of her career. Van Gorp also contributed six assists and three service aces, while Nayeli Ti’a added 14 digs.
Iowa State opened the match with a 3-0 lead in the first set following kills from Bettis and Goolsby, but Houston rallied to claim the opening set 25-21. The Cyclones answered in the second set, using a late scoring spree featuring three Bettis kills to capture a 25-20 victory and tie the match.
Houston controlled the tempo in the third set to earn a 25-17 victory. In the fourth set, Iowa State built an early 6-3 lead before Houston responded with five consecutive points. Although Iowa State saved four match points late in the frame, Houston closed out the set 25-20 to secure the match.
Next up
Iowa State returns home for a two-match homestand, hosting West Virginia on Friday at 6:30 p.m. before facing No. 17 Kansas on Sunday at noon.
