Following a first-round exit at last season’s NCAA tournament, the ISU volleyball team had a big task at hand before the start of the 2014-15 season: fill the void left by graduating seniors Kristen Hahn and Tenisha Matlock.

Hahn, a three-time Big 12 Libero of the Year, and Matlock, a 6’2” middle blocker who led the Cyclones with 72 blocks in the 2013-14 season, left large shoes to fill. Luckily for Iowa State, two new team members have already gotten a head start.

Donning their ISU jerseys for the first time this spring season were sophomore-to-be Suzanne Horner and incoming freshman Monique Harris.

Horner, a transfer from Mississippi State University, credited the Cyclones’ recent success with luring her to ISU coach Christy Johnson-Lynch’s squad.

“Things were changing down there and I wanted a change of pace with regards to volleyball,” Horner said. “I saw how the program has been growing over the past couple of years and they’ve been really successful. I wanted to be a part of that.”

In her freshman campaign with Mississippi State, Horner started 30 matches and led the team with 978 assists at a clip of 8.73 assists per set. She’s already had a similar impact on the Cyclones, chipping in 91 assists at a rate of 11.38 per set in Iowa State’s final two matches of the spring season.

Harris, on the other hand, has taken a much different path to Ames.

After graduating from high school early, Harris enrolled at Iowa State at the start of the spring 2014 semester and began practicing with the team. Getting a head start on her collegiate career, the setter/defensive specialist tallied nine digs and two service aces in the Cyclones’ last two spring matches.

“Monique kind of started out setting and then was switched to a different role, but she’s adjusted well,” said teammate Mackenzie BigbeeCQ. “It’s hard to come in and adjust to this level [of play], especially since it’s her first college experience. She’s done a great job of that so far.”

Though the time Horner and Harris have had with the ISU volleyball team has been short, Johnson-Lynch said it’s already paying dividends.

“Suzanne’s gotten a lot more comfortable running the offense and Monique’s gained a lot of confidence,” Johnson-Lynch said. “I think they’re both certainly capable [of playing in the regular season]. This semester has been incredibly valuable for them.”

With a few weeks off before a European tour of exhibition matches, the team is taking the time to reflect on and learn from their spring season.

One of Horner’s biggest takeaways? She’s just happy to be a Cyclone.

“My passion for volleyball led me to make the decision to come here,” Horner said. “The energy in the gym, the big crowds, the arena and everything. It’s all a part of the college volleyball experience that I wanted, and it’s all here.”