Mountaineers Fall in Straight Sets at Iowa State - West Virginia University Athletics

Friday, October 30

Ames, Iowa

7:30 p.m.

West Virginia University

11-9,4-6Big 12

Iowa State

13-8,7-3Big 12

Team	1	2	3	Final F
West Virginia	20	23	22	0
Iowa St.	25	25	25	3

WVU Volleyball huddles before a point versus Iowa State

October 30, 2026 10:14 PM | Volleyball

Box Score Season Stats

By: Farris Murad

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The West Virginia University volleyball team (11-9, 4-6 Big 12) fell to Iowa State, 3-0, on Friday evening at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa, by set scores of 20-25, 23-25 and 22-25.

The Mountaineers opened the first set with a 7-5 advantage behind kills from sophomore right side Anna Barr and freshman outside hitter Macie Smith. Iowa State responded with a run to take a 10-8 lead and eventually extended its advantage to 18-11. WVU fought to stay within reach, but the Cyclones maintained their lead to take the opening set, 25-20.

West Virginia struggled to find its rhythm offensively in the second set, hitting .091. The Mountaineers trailed 16-11 before putting together a rally to pull within one at 20-19. WVU continued to battle, eventually tying the set at 21-21 following consecutive kills from senior outside hitter Nina Horning and Smith. Iowa State closed out the set with a 25-23 victory to take a 2-0 lead.

WVU started the third set with a strong push, taking an 11-7 advantage following a pair of blocks from freshman middle blocker Cami Huff and Barr. The Cyclones answered with a run to regain the lead at 12-11. The teams traded points throughout the middle of the set, with WVU briefly taking a 19-18 advantage. Iowa State responded with a late push, however, closing out the set, 25-22, to secure the sweep.

Horning led the Mountaineers with 10 kills, while Smith added eight. Senior middle blocker Maddy McGath contributed six kills while hitting a team-best .417, and senior opposite Trinity Sheridan also finished with six kills.

Senior setter Alexis Finnvold paced the offense with 17 assists, while freshman defensive specialist/libero Reagan Turk led the defensive effort with 20 digs.

As a team, West Virginia recorded 35 kills, 43 digs and 10 total blocks. The Mountaineers hit .144 for the match, compared to Iowa State's .231. The Cyclones were led by senior outside hitter Nayeli Gonzalez, who finished with 12 kills, and senior middle blocker Pam McCune, who added 10.

The Mountaineers return to action on Sunday, Nov. 1, traveling to Cincinnati to take on the Bearcats at Fifth Third Arena. First serve is set for 1 p.m. ET.

For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUVolleyball on Facebook, Instagram and X.