When the ISU volleyball team takes the court against in-state foe Iowa on Sept. 20, many will consider it another chapter in the state’s biggest rivalry. However, since ISU coach Christy Johnson-Lynch arrived in fall 2005, that rivalry has been more like a one-way beating.

The two teams did not square off in Johnson-Lynch’s inaugural season at Iowa State, but the Cyclones have won all eight matches against the Hawkeyes since. Those eight matchups combined for 30 sets, averaging out to only 3.75 sets per match.

Even though the Cyclones — 5-3 overall, 0-0 in the Big 12 — have developed a tendency to put away the Hawkeyes — 8-2 overall and 0-0 in the Big Ten — early and often, Johnson-Lynch is still taking a normal approach to the contest.

“I’ve said this, and probably every Iowa State coach says this, it doesn’t matter any history or what each team has done up to this point,” Johnson-Lynch said. “I do think Iowa’s as good as we’ve seen them. They’re more athletic and just better than they’ve ever been.”

Though Iowa’s level of play Sept. 20 may be the best Johnson-Lynch has ever faced, the match comes at the perfect time in Iowa State’s schedule.

After playing three matches in two days, the Cyclones will have had six days off from competition when first serve crosses the net. Iowa State is taking full advantage of that time to recover and prepare more than for other matches with quicker turnarounds.

“It’s going to be a lot easier [to prepare], I guess you could say,” said outside hitter Ciara Capezio. “More practices to get ready for one game is going to be nice and will make it easier on our bodies.”

That time to recover will be extremely helpful for outside hitter Victoria Hurtt, who watched practice from the sidelines Sept. 16 while nursing a foot injury.

Hurtt leads the team with 77 kills through the first eight matches of the year and often comes up with big momentum plays when the ISU offense starts to slow down. Johnson-Lynch, however, is not concerned about Hurtt missing the Iowa match.

“I think she’ll be fine — just a little tweak during the match [against Minnesota on Sept. 13],” Johnson-Lynch said. “Not exactly sure what bone, but I think we’re just being cautious.”

If worst comes to worst for Hurtt and she is not able to play, the Cyclones still have plenty of talent up front. Part of that depth comes from the emergence of outside hitter-turned-middle blocker Alexis Conaway.

Conaway has proven early in her collegiate career that she can play at an elite level. The reigning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week sits in second place in the conference for blocks per set at 1.57 and is second on the ISU volleyball team with a hitting percentage of .330.

Although the Orange City, Iowa, native has never played in the Cy-Hawk rivalry, Conaway knows how important the match is.

“Iowa verses Iowa State is always big in every sport,” Conaway said. “It’ll be a fun environment getting to play with these girls in Hilton with a great crowd. I’m really excited for it.”

From the youngest players on the team to the 10-year head coach, nobody on the ISU roster knows what losing to Iowa feels like and certainly doesn’t want to learn. Perhaps that is the biggest motivator of all.

“It just makes us go a little harder and get better every day,” Capezio said. “We’ll show them all we’ve got on Saturday.”

The ISU volleyball team will host the Iowa Hawkeyes at 4 p.m. Sept. 20 at Hilton Coliseum.