When libero Kristen Hahn learned of the award she had received, she was so surprised she said she almost felt sick to her stomach.

For the fourth consecutive week, Hahn was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week. Hahn stands alone as the only Big 12 volleyball player to ever receive any weekly award four times in a row.

“I’m really thankful for my teammates and everything that they’ve backed me up on and just all of the hard work that we put in,” Hahn said. “I wouldn’t be where I’m at without them.”

In Big 12 play through this point in the season, Hahn is averaging 6.05 digs per set. The next closest player in the Big 12 to Hahn in digs per set is Brianne Riley of Kansas with 4.47.

ISU coach Christy Johnson-Lynch believes the four consecutive awards go to show how valuable Hahn is to the No. 23 Cyclones (9-6, 3-2 Big 12) and that she is being recognized as an elite player in the league. Being creative with how Hahn is positioned on the court has also been an important adjustment for Iowa State.

“I think Hahn’s earned a reputation — a well deserved reputation — and people know to stay away from her,” Johnson-Lynch said. “We’re trying to make it hard for them to do that. We’ll let the server think she’s serving at one person, and we’ll move Hahn into that spot at the last second. Defensively, [we’re] making switches so you have no choice but to hit the ball to her because you didn’t know she would be there.”

‘Competitive anger’ fuels Hockaday in win at Texas Tech

After a lackluster performance against Kansas State and a loss in the first set at Texas Tech, Johnson-Lynch had to find a way to inspire her team to avoid going 0-2 in matches for the week.

“The words she said were: ‘You have to have a competitive anger,'” said outside hitter Rachel Hockaday. “I could just tell on everyone’s face that everyone was ticked off. It was just a little thing, but it was just something that small that triggered something. I was just like this is just as big of a game as any we’ve got to take them just as seriously.”

The Cyclones went on to win the next three sets defeating the Red Raiders powered by Hockaday who recorded 20 kills, a service ace, 11 digs and two block assists.

Iowa State has been moving Hockaday around the court more recently hoping that it will help the offensive attack since she is a smaller outside hitter. Johnson-Lynch said the looks Hockaday has been getting in open areas when she is mobile has paying off for her.

“[At Texas] Tech was really the first time we gave her the green light to do that,” Johnson-Lynch said. “I think that allowed her to get into that groove a little bit. I thought that both outsides, [Hockaday] in particular played terrific, and I am hoping that’s a sign of things to come.”