Throughout the past three years, Iowa State has dominated Kansas State both at home and on the road in volleyball.

For a team that has struggled to finish the third sets this season, No. 22 Iowa State (8-5, 2-1 Big 12) has won the last 18 consecutive sets against No. 14 Kansas State (13-1, 2-1), and on Wednesday, the the Cyclones will get their shot to continue that reign. 

As shown by its record, Kansas State is not the team of years past, and ISU coach Christy Johnson-Lynch said it is all coming together for it.

“In the past few years, they’ve been very athletic but just young and inexperienced,” Johnson-Lynch said. “I think last year that win over Nebraska to advance to the Sweet Sixteen at Nebraska, I think that just gave that program a boost — gave those players confidence.”

In last year’s NCAA tournament, unseeded Kansas State stunned the volleyball world by knocking off No. 2 Nebraska in five sets.

While the Wildcats went on to lose in the Sweet Sixteen to Pepperdine, the upset of the Huskers went down as a historic win for the program.

“They kind of ended their season with success last year, and then they kind of carried it into this season,” said outside hitter Rachel Hockaday. “So despite what’s happened in the past, we aren’t overlooking at all and going into Wednesday looking forward to a big game [and] a good matchup.”

Heading into Wednesday’s matchup in Manhattan, Kan., the Wildcats are second in the Big 12 in kills, hitting percentage and digs — all of which are above the Cyclones.

A chunk of that offensive output can be credited to junior middle Kaitlynn Pelger. Her .367 hitting percentage, 3.77 kills per set and 4.72 points per set are all among the conference’s top 10.

“Slowing down their big hitters and then also playing enough defense on our side that we’re able to keep up and keep our attackers with good set ups and good opportunities,” said setter Alison Landwehr. 

Winning on the road is always a tough accomplishment, regardless of the team. However, there’s something about Manhattan, Kan., that puts the Cyclones a bit more at ease than other road sites.

Last season the Cyclones got a pair of breaks against the Wildcats when the KSU setter was injured for one match and Pelger for the other. Going up against both this season has the potential to have a different result than years past.

“I don’t know that we even got the fair look at them last year, so we’ll have to be ready for a much improved K-State team from last year,” Johnson-Lynch said.

Match time is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday.