AMES – Iowa State fell short against No. 24 BYU on Wednesday in four sets [20-25, 25-19, 24-26, 15-25]. Freshman Rachel Van Gorp, senior Brooke Stonestreet and redshirt sophomore Lilly Wachholz delivered strong performances to help keep a battered Cyclones team afloat.
Sets one, two and three were all massive uphill battles for Iowa State to handle. Redshirt junior Amiree Hendricks-Walker led the Cyclones to a quick lead in set one, but ultimately BYU gained strength. The Cougars took 14 of the last 25 points.
Set two was closer, but Iowa State fell 20-25. Set three was a nailbiter that resulted in a 24-26 loss. Set four was really where Iowa State fell apart. The Cyclones couldn’t get anything going that ultimately ended the game 15-25.
Van Gorp shows she can do it all
Van Gorp is known for her defensive prowess at the libero position. She is second on the team in digs at 187. She answered the call to help on offense having a double-double with 11 kills and 14 digs.
“It’s definitely been a lot of fun coming to the games knowing I have to step into a role that I may not be as comfortable with,” Van Gorp said. “I’m just super proud of my teammates that encouraged me and pushed me to keep going.”
Van Gorp will need to be good the rest of the way in all facets of her game. Iowa State’s schedule isn’t going to get any better with Texas Tech coming into town Friday.
Wachholz and Hendricks-Walker continue to contribute on offense
The offense certainly was the problem Iowa State would be looking to solve against BYU. Doing that without some integral players would be a difficult problem. Wachholz and Hendricks-Walker both had 12 kills to lead the Cyclones.
With how many injuries the Cyclones are dealing with, head coach Christy Johnson-Lynch will look to Wachholz, Hendricks-Walker and almost every player willing to step up.
“Everyone’s stepping into their new role, so we just have to keep learning our new roles,” Wachholz said. “I think we’re battling and playing together as a team. We just need to keep battling and pushing because we are right there.”
Gonzalez out for year, along with numerous other injuries
On Wednesday, sophomore Nayeli Gonzalez announced she was out for the year with a left knee injury on social media.
“I recently sustained an injury that has temporarily taken me out of the game I love,” Gonzalez said on the post. “Although I am sidelined right now, I am committed to working hard during this healing process.”
Junior Maya Duckworth has been on and off the court for some of the year, which is not good for the state of Iowa State’s outside hitters.
Wachholz knows that the offense has gaps to fill.
“Just being fearless,” Wachholz said. “Go swing and be fearless. I think we all have the ability, so just trusting in each other so that we can do it. We can all put a ball down.”
Iowa State hosts Texas Tech at 6:30 p.m. Friday. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
