The Iowa State volleyball team kicked off its 2026 season with a thrilling showcase at the Cyclone Invitational held at Hilton Coliseum, finishing the three-day tournament with a commendable 2-1 record. The event featured a mix of emotions for the Cyclones, who started strong, faced a setback, and ultimately rallied to secure a victory against their in-state rival.
On the opening day of the tournament, Iowa State made a significant statement by sweeping Loyola Chicago in a decisive 3-0 match (25-12, 25-20, 25-22) in front of a crowd of 2,216 enthusiastic fans. The Cyclones displayed remarkable offensive efficiency, achieving a .277 hitting percentage with 40 kills while committing only 14 errors on 94 attempts. Nayeli Ti’a led the charge with a match-high 10 kills, complemented by nine digs. Lilly Wachholz also made her mark with nine kills and five block assists, while setter Ava Martin orchestrated the offense with 33 assists, four digs, and two service aces.
Loyola Chicago, struggling to find its rhythm, managed to record only 37 total points and committed 18 errors during the match. Leyna Nguyen was the standout for the Ramblers, leading her team with nine kills, but she was hindered by five errors. Despite this, Mallory Bohl's performance, with seven kills and a .462 hitting percentage, provided a glimmer of hope for Loyola.
The following day brought a tougher challenge for Iowa State as they faced Georgia Tech. The Cyclones were unable to find their footing and suffered a 3-0 defeat (25-23, 25-20, 25-17) in front of a larger crowd of 2,603. Georgia Tech showcased their prowess, hitting .229 as a team and demonstrating strong defensive skills. Laura Perugini Bieleski was particularly impressive, racking up 15 kills with a .452 hitting percentage. Iowa State struggled offensively, hitting just .093 with 33 kills and 23 errors on 108 attempts. Nayeli Ti’a was the only Cyclone to reach double-digit kills with 12, but her performance was marred by seven errors.
However, the Cyclones rebounded on the final day of the tournament, overcoming the University of Northern Iowa in a thrilling four-set match, winning 3-1 (25-18, 25-18, 21-25, 36-34) in front of a lively crowd of 3,207. After winning the first two sets comfortably, Iowa State faced a tough challenge in the third set before being pushed to the limit in a dramatic fourth set that featured 20 ties and seven lead changes. The Cyclones ultimately triumphed with a nail-biting 36-34 victory in the final set.
In this decisive match, Iowa State’s offense was firing on all cylinders, hitting .324 as a team with an impressive 66 kills. Nayeli Gonzalez had a standout performance, contributing 26 kills with a .408 hitting percentage, while Nayeli Ti’a added 22 kills. Ava Martin excelled as well, achieving a double-double with 54 assists and 10 digs. Defensively, Rachel Van Gorp led the team with 27 digs, showcasing her skills throughout the tournament.
UNI's Cassidy Hartman put up a valiant effort, leading her team with 27 kills and 10 digs, but it wasn't enough to secure the win. As the Cyclones reflect on their performance at the Cyclone Invitational, they will aim to build on their successes and address the challenges faced during the tournament as they move forward in the season.
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