With the off weekend now behind it, the No. 22 ISU volleyball team will take on No. 8 Texas on Wednesday night in a match that will put its defense to the test.

The Cyclones (10-6, 4-2 Big 12) will arguably be up against the most dynamic offense they have seen through this mid-way point in the Big 12 season. Texas possesses outside hitter Haley Eckerman, a native of Waterloo, Iowa, who has been hitting .338 with 4.81 kills per set in Big 12 play.

Eckerman was also named the 2011 Big 12 Freshman of the Year.

“[Eckerman] and their other side, [outside hitter Bailey] Webster, they’re pretty similar, and they’re just both terrific athletes,” said ISU coach Christy Johnson-Lynch. “You could do everything perfectly; you could have your blocks set up perfectly; you could have your defense exactly where you tell them to be; and they could be arms out ready to dig the ball; and they just hit over your block into a spot that you cannot dig.”

Against Texas, which has not yet lost a set in Big 12 play, Johnson-Lynch will stress the importance of neutralizing the attack by serving to tough places on the court for Texas’ players to get to as well as working on a triple block.

“There are some times that we are going to be able to neutralize that and there are some times they’re just going to get some kills that we are not going to be able to do anything about it,” Johnson-Lynch said. “We have to just be able to move on to the next play quickly and not get too wrapped up in that.”

In preparation for Texas, ISU senior middle blocker Jamie Straube said she is trying to figure out what all of the hitting tendencies are for Texas’ attackers.

“Just be really mentally focused and know what’s coming at me from all three positions for Texas’ hitters,” Straube said of her defensive responsibilities. “It’s just a mentality, too, just knowing that I’ve got to go up and take up a lot of space. And I’ve got to be strong with it because she hits very hard. Also trusting the diggers behind me: Knowing that if I take up my area, they’re going to be in the right place to get a good chance to dig that ball.”

Outside hitter Rachel Hockaday said that when facing a team that has many offensive weapons, the goal is to focus hard on keeping the ball alive any way possible.

“They’ve got some huge hitters, and they always have a bunch of jumpers on their team,” Hockaday said. “Making sure defensively that we are, whether it’s blocking or it’s just getting a good touch on the ball, keeping it alive and getting some rallies going.”

Iowa State will take on Texas on Wednesday night in Austin, Texas. First serve will be at 7 p.m.