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Iowa State began its volleyball season with a straight-set victory over Bucknell in Athens, Ohio, on Friday. The Cyclones won by scores of 25-21, 25-9, and 25-20.

The match was the 600th in the career of head coach Christy Johnson-Lynch, who now holds a record of 16-5 in season openers.

Freshman Alea Goolsby led Iowa State with 12 kills and a .370 hitting percentage in her debut. Lilly Wachholz followed with 10 kills, extending her streak of double-digit kill matches to four. Wachholz also led the team in aces (3) and points (13.5). Pam McCune contributed nine kills at a .500 efficiency rate.

Rachel Van Gorp continued her own streak by recording 12 digs, marking her sixth consecutive match with at least ten digs. Tierney Jackson led all players with six total blocks.

In the first set, Bucknell stayed close before Iowa State secured a 25-21 win. Goolsby had six kills in that set while Wachholz added three without an error.

During the second set, Maya Duckworth's serving helped Iowa State start on a 12-0 run. The Cyclones held Bucknell to a negative hitting percentage and took the set decisively at 25-9.

In the third set, Van Gorp served her second ace as Iowa State quickly gained an early lead. Key plays from Duckworth, Jackson, McCune, and Wachholz kept ISU ahead despite several ties from Bucknell. The Cyclones finished out the match with a final score of 25-20.

Iowa State ended the match hitting .333 compared to Bucknell's .167.

The Cyclones will continue their schedule at the Bobcat Invite against Ohio on Saturday at 4 p.m. CT; fans can watch via ESPN+.

"Iowa State (1-0, 0-0 Big 12) swept Bucknell (0-1, 0-0 Patriot League) by set scores of 25-21, 25-9, 25-20 Friday afternoon. The match marked the 600th of Christy Johnson-Lynch's career as Johnson-Lynch moves to 16-5 in season openers."