It has been a roller coaster of a season for Iowa State.

After beginning the season 10-7 and some uncertainty with its identity as a team, the No. 15-seeded ISU volleyball team now finds itself hosting the first and second round of the NCAA tournament.

The Cyclones (20-7, 13-3 Big 12) began the season with losses to Florida State and Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn., in five set matches, and a sweep by Illinois in Champaign, Ill.

“I think having so many tough competitions early on forced us to address some issues and figure out some problems early on that some teams may not have had to address until later on in the season,” said ISU coach Christy Johnson-Lynch. “We messed around with some different defenses but that was because we were forced to do that. We had to be creative and figure out some things.”

In some of the tough early season losses, which also includes a five set loss to Syracuse at home, also forced the Cyclones to find a team identity. That is when, middle blocker Jamie Straube believes, the team began to come together even more.

“It can be a grind at times,” Straube said of the tough losses. “I think we got a little bit frustrated, but everyone did such a good job of lifting each other up.”

Since having a 10-7 overall and 4-3 in the Big 12, Iowa State is on a 10-match winning streak including its most recent win against No. 3 Texas.

Due to the Iowa State’s schedule and wins this season, the team is currently No. 18 in the RPI ranking and a No. 15 in the NCAA tournament allowing it host the first and second round.

Libero Kristen Hahn was pleased with how her teammates made each other better every day in practice and how the season has turned around for the Cyclones.

“I remember talking to my seniors at one point and reminding them that we can finish the second half of the Big 12 undefeated to get to where we need to be,” Hahn said. “The fact that we did that was amazing.”

For Johnson-Lynch, 2012 has been one of the most enjoyable seasons she has had as a coach and is proud of how her team continued to have faith in each other when things were difficult.

“They’ve worked their way into this seed and to the bid to host,” Johnson-Lynch said. “We certainly weren’t in this position two months ago. Give a lot of credit to our team for getting us here”

Hilton Coliseum earning a reputation for volleyball

For the second consecutive season, Iowa State will be hosting the first and second round of the NCAA tournament.

Hosting is an awesome feeling for Johnson-Lynch and not having to travel “takes a lot of stress away.” The advantage of playing in Hilton Coliseum is not one that the Cyclones take lightly.

“We have a huge home court advantage, I think we’ve shown that over the last several years,” Johnson-Lynch said. “We feel very, very fortunate. That’s why this last month has been so great and critical because we played our way into this [No. 15 seed].”

At I-P Fort Wayne’s last home match, Iowa State’s first round opponent recorded an attendance of 639 fans. At the Cyclones’ last home match against Texas, 4,396 fans were in attendance.

“Everybody’s focused on how tough it is to play here,” said I-P Fort Wayne coach Kelley Hartley Hutton. “I bet it is tough to play here, but how exciting for our student athletes to get to play in front of that many people, whether they’re from Ames or Fort Wayne. We’re really excited about this environment.”

Johnson-Lynch said that when she talks about Hilton Coliseum and the ISU volleyball fan base, there is a certain curiosity from the person she is talking to and what makes Hilton Coliseum a special place for volleyball.

“We now have a reputation as being one of the best places to play in the country,” Johnson-Lynch said. “I hear that from a lot of people. I think teams, when the announcements came out, were disappointed they didn’t get to play at home; excited that they get to come to Iowa State and play. Before the match [against Texas] even started, looking around and seeing what Hilton has become; that was a pretty cool feeling.”