When Christy Johnson-Lynch arrived at Iowa State to take over the ISU volleyball program beginning with the 2005 season, something changed. 

Before Johnson-Lynch’s arrival, the Cyclones had posted nine consecutive losing records and hadn’t made the NCAA tournament since 1995. With a trip to the Sweet 16 during the most recent 2012 season, Iowa State has now made the NCAA tournament in seven-straight seasons.

Last season, in addition to advancing to the NCAA tournament, the Cyclones made history at Hilton Coliseum. Iowa State knocked off No. 1 Nebraska to capture its first-ever victory against a No. 1 team and just the second victory ever against Nebraska (2-80). 

There was also victory against No. 3 Texas, the eventual NCAA national champion, at Hilton to close out the regular season. 

During the 2012 season, the Cyclones were led by libero Kristen Hahn, who will lead the team again in 2013 during her senior season. Hahn has won two consecutive Big 12 Libero of the Year awards and averaged 5.44 digs per set last season, the second-highest mark in school history.

If Hahn continues her success from recent seasons in her final season next fall, she will likely move to No. 2 all-time in career digs when all is said and done. 

The 2013 season will bring changes to the Cyclones, who graduated several key players from last season’s Sweet 16 team, including one of the team’s top setters of all time in Alison Landwehr.

The Cyclones will be young, but the expectations will remain high with yet another strong recruiting class and Johnson-Lynch at the helm.