AMES, Iowa - If Caitlin Mahoney's serve late in the third set hadn't gone directly into the net, who knows what Saturday's outcome would have been.
As they clung to a 25-24 lead after trailing 20-11, the Iowa State Cyclones were a point away from capping a remarkable comeback and taking a 2-1 set advantage on the No. 2 Huskers.
The crowd of 4,294 at the Hilton Coliseum in Ames was raucous as Mahoney went back to serve for set point, but as it settled into the net, a collective groan rumbled throughout the arena.
So close.
NU would rally for the next two points to win the set and eventually the match 3-1 (25-21, 20-25, 27-25, 25-18).
"They're relentless," head coach John Cook said of the Cyclones. "They dig balls. These were the longest rallies we've had all year, and their setter is really good. She's a great player."
The thrilling third set may have been the deciding factor of Saturday night's match. Cook said if the Huskers had lost that set - after squandering such a big lead - it would have been difficult for his team to recover.
"What I was thinking is, if we lose this game, we might lose the match," Cook said. "To be up 24-20 and let them run four on us - but they missed it - and we found a way to get the next two. We're going to be in more situations like this, so it's good for us to go through that."
The Huskers staggered out of the gates in the first set falling behind 5-0. After a timeout, NU gradually worked its way back and took a 12-11 lead. After four more lead changes, Nebraska finally put it away.
NU controlled things early in the second set, but the feisty Cyclones fought back and took a 15-14 lead and never relinquished it, eventually winning 20-25. The Huskers had an ugly attack percentage of .095 in the second set loss.
After the exciting third set victory, NU cruised in the fourth. NU fell behind 1-0, but it would be their only deficit of the set as the set's outcome was never in doubt.
Nebraska's early struggles can be contributed to a pesky ISU defense that made it difficult for the Huskers to get kills.
"In the start of the match, we had some problems getting in system and just getting the ball to Sydney (Anderson) so she could make a great set," outside hitter Tara Mueller said. "I think, just from the start, we need to be in system more often and get those kills."
The Cyclones were one of the best defensive teams in the Big 12 going into Saturday's match and were fresh off a match against No. 3 Texas where they were swept but had set points in two of those three sets.
Cook didn't seem disappointed in his team's effort after the game, saying that Iowa State is a much better team than what their record shows.
"Iowa State's a really good team," Cook said. "How the heck they ever lost to Northern Iowa and the University of Milwaukee and whoever else they lost to is beyond me. It's one of the best teams we've played all year. There hasn't been a team that's competed that hard - that we've played - all year."
The atmosphere also made it difficult for the Huskers. It was Cram the Coliseum night in Ames, meaning fans could get into the match for just a dollar.
Last year, Nebraska and Kansas State were the only two teams to win in the Hilton Coliseum, and Cook said he wouldn't be surprised if NU was the only team to walk out of Ames with a win this year.
The Huskers, as a team, had an attack percentage of .226 in the match. Mueller saw the most action connecting for 16 kills on 53 swings.
Kori Cooper added 12 kills on 21 attempts hitting a staggering .524.
Amanda Gates also hit a career-high 11 kills. Senior All-American Jordan Larson tacked on 11 kills after only having two through the first two sets. She also had 19 digs on the night.
Sophomore setter Sydney Anderson, in addition to her 48 assists, had five blocks on the night. Cooper and Gates added three stuffs each.
Anderson said ISU deserves much of the credit for how close the match was. She said the Cyclones rank right up there with the other teams they've played this year.
"They're a scrappy team," Anderson said of ISU. "And they don't give up on plays. Some plays we took off, and they didn't, and they competed really hard."
LUKENICHOLS@DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM
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