Ames, Iowa ? Kansas University’s volleyball team opened the second half of the Big 12 season with a 25-22, 25-21, 27-29, 25-23 loss Wednesday at Iowa State.

No. 17-ranked KU fell to 19-4 overall, 7-2 in the Big 12, while No. 22 ISU improved to 12-7, 6-3.

“We dug ourselves a hole in the first two sets, but I’m extremely proud of this team’s fight tonight,” KU coach Ray Bechard said. “When the execution sharpens up a little bit and you compete like that, we’re going to do good things.”

Sara McClinton had 14 kills for the Jayhawks, who tied the score 22 times and fought off match point six times in the third set.

Reigning AVCA National Player of the Week, fourth-year junior middle blocker Caroline Jarmoc, led a Jayhawk defense that out-blocked the Cyclones, 14-8. She finished with nine blocks and 13 kills.

KU will host West Virginia on Monday. Match time is 6:30 p.m. at Horejsi Center.