The No. 21 ISU volleyball team will be riding a four-match winning streak as it prepares to host Texas Tech on Saturday, Nov. 3, at Hilton Coliseum.

In the match between the Cyclones (14-7, 7-3 Big 12) and Red Raiders (13-13, 2-8 Big 12) in Lubbock on Oct. 6, Texas Tech challenged Iowa State from the beginning by winning the first set but went on to lose the next three in a 3-1 ISU win.

After that match, the mantra of the team became ‘competitive anger,’ a phrase that has carried the Cyclones during the past four weeks.

“I really sense from the team that there’s a certain maturity to them now where they understand you can’t just go through the motions and think we’re just going to win,” said ISU head coach Christy Johnson-Lynch.

In addition to competitive anger, outside hitter Rachel Hockaday has incorporated a more aggressive approach to her game.

Last time against Texas Tech, Hockaday recorded a team-high 20 kills and added 11 digs in the win.

“Making that choice in your mind that once you step on that court, it’s time to go,” Hockaday said about coming out with a confident and aggressive mentality. “When you’re out there serving, it’s an aggressive serve, and when you’re swinging, it’s an aggressive swing.”

Libero Kristen Hahn believes that avoiding a slow start will require Iowa State to turn its focus internally and attempt to correct any mistakes it has with itself.

“Our passing has improved a lot just since [Texas] Tech even,” Hahn said. “People are a lot more comfortable next to each other. Everyone knows their role, and the freshmen are stepping up.”

Hahn tallied six digs per set in the win at Texas Tech.

Johnson-Lynch said that while the Cyclones struggled with passing leading up to and during the match at Texas Tech, the team has found a good groove.

“It was nowhere to be found, and once we found it, we found it now for the past couple weeks, and I think that’s allowed us to play at a high level,” Johnson-Lynch said of her team’s passing. “I sense [it] from the team, and I hope they don’t prove me wrong, that they’re getting it.”

The ISU players also know how important passing is to the team’s success.

“If we don’t pass well, we don’t play well,” Hockaday said. “We don’t get in system, and it’s just harder to run an offense, and I think our defense, when we are on, can frustrate teams. Defensive passing is our core and kind of the team’s identity. We have some great offensive players, too, but it all starts with defensive passing.”

Iowa State’s match against Texas Tech will be at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Hilton Coliseum.