Buffs’ volleyball keeps rolling in four-set win over Iowa State

CU's win over Iowa State marked its eighth home victory of the season out of nine total home games. (Photo by Christian Blanco/Sko Buffs Sports)

The Colorado Buffaloes took on the Iowa State Cyclones on Saturday at the CU Events Center and defeated them 3-1.

“The energy was pretty low coming into today,”  junior middle blocker Cayla Payne said. “We obviously knew they were a good team. No one wanted to underestimate them.” 

Both teams attacked the first set with all they had and kept the score close. CU had 14 kills in the first set compared to Iowa State's 12. The score remained fairly close throughout the first set, with the Buffs winning it by just three (25-22).

The second set was similar to the first, with the Buffs closely trailing the Cyclones early and then taking the lead. The Buffs and the Cyclones swapped leads throughout the end of the second set. CU took the second set as well, this time by two points (25-23). 

The third set went to Iowa State. It was in the lead by a decent amount to begin the third set, and eventually a whopping 10 points towards the middle of the set. Iowa State took the third set by nine points (16-25). 

The Buffs were obviously shaken by the loss of the third set and started the fourth set the same way. Colorado eventually trailed by six before beginning a comeback. The Buffs rallied and won the fourth set and the match by two (25-23). 

“I think when we can come together as a team in those moments and really know that we can lean on each other and like play as a team, then we play a lot better,” Payne said. 

Payne had the most blocks for CU on Saturday with eight. 

The Buffaloes will be back on the court on Tuesday at 6 p.m. MT against the Northern Colorado Bears in Greeley, Colorado (ESPN+).