Game one: vs. Pacific
Looking to build off of a strong 2023 campaign, the Cyclones began their season with a tight win over Pacific in five sets.
Iowa State got out to a quick 2-0 set lead but had to fend off a strong push from the Tigers. Strong performances from Nayeli Gonzalez, Morgan Brandt, Amiree Hendricks-Walker and Rachel Van Gorp helped hold them off to secure the victory.
Gonzalez wasted no time getting to work to start her sophomore season. She had a 19 kill performance along with a total hitting percentage of .302, 14 digs and three blocks.
Brandt added to her career total with her 17th double-double. Brandt had 47 assists, 12 digs and six kills to help bolster her performance.
South Florida transfer Amiree Hendricks-Walker kicked off her Cyclone career with a bang. She made her presence known by beginning set one with three kills on three attempts. She finished with 12 kills and a .440 hitting percentage.
Van Gorp did not show any signs of nervousness even with being a freshman. She had an outstanding performance as the Iowa State libero with 19 digs.
Game two: vs. UNLV
Iowa State did not have the same luck in its second match, falling to UNLV 3-2 in a five set battle.
Even with the Cyclone defense holding UNLV to a .100 hitting percentage in two sets, they failed to capitalize in their other sets. Maya Duckworth, Pam McCune, Hendricks-Walker and Gonzalez had strong showings in the loss.
McCune had a career night with nine total blocks, 11 kills and a .429 hitting percentage. She set her career highs in block assists and hitting percentage. Duckworth and Hendricks-Walker both had seven blocks.
Gonzalez stayed hot with a 17 double-digit kill game, extending her match streak to four, dating back to last season. It is her 20th career 10-plus kill match.
Van Gorp built on her young freshman season with another 19 dig performance. Brooke Stonestreet provided a strong 10 digs in the losing effort.
Iowa State hosts the home-opening Cyclone Invite Sept. 5-7 featuring Toledo, Wake Forest and Illinois.
