Sept. 20, 2005

Baylor-Iowa State Preview
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BAYLOR (9-3, 1-0 Big 12)
vs. Iowa State (7-5, 1-1 Big 12)
Wednesday, Sept. 21 - 7 p.m.
Ferrell Center (6,000)
Waco, Texas

Baylor returns home to the Ferrell Center after seven straight matches on the road, hosting Iowa State in Big 12 Conference play Wednesday night at 7 p.m.

The Bears finished second by winning two of three at the Fiesta Bowl hosted by Northern Arizona this past weekend. Junior outside hitter Nicole LeBlanc and senior middle blocker Stella Odion were each named to the all-tournament team. Baylor downed Texas Tech in the Big 12 opener last Wednesday, with LeBlanc and Odion leading the way once again.

Iowa State is coming off a huge upset win over No. 18 Texas, 3-1, Saturday night in Ames, Iowa. The victory was only the Cyclones second in 20 meetings against the Longhorns. Katie Jessen led Iowa State with 18 kills in the match and leads the team for the season with 3.70 kills per game. Katie Churm ranks second in the conference with 4.85 digs per game.

Baylor leads the all-time series against Iowa State, 16-4, 14-2 since the Big 12 began play in 1996. The Bears have won 13 of the last 14 meetings, including the last four. Baylor holds a 7-3 advantage in Waco. In the last meeting between the two teams, Baylor claimed a 3-1 victory in Waco Nov. 6, 2004. Nicole LeBlanc (18 kills, 14 digs) and Stella Odion (14 kills, 10 digs) each recorded double-doubles, while Desiree Guilliard-Young had 13 kills and seven blocks. Katie Jessen led Iowa State with 15 kills.

Wednesday's match is the first of the season that will be available fully through CSTV All Access, live video and audio broadcast of the match. Larry Little and former Baylor volleyball player Marisa Kersten will call all of the action throughout the season.

The Bears return to action against Kansas Saturday at 7 p.m. in Lawrence, Kan.