In a Big 12 conference that has been deemed up-for-grabs by coaches and players alike, the ISU volleyball team has been forced deal with uncertainty amongst the conference’s new members.

No. 23 Iowa State (9-6, 3-2 Big 12) played Big 12 newcomer Texas Christian on Sept. 29 for the first time in program history without any knowledge of what it had to offer. The team was able to sweep TCU, but on Wednesday, it will face more uncertainty in West Virginia.

The Cyclones last played the Mountaineers in 2003 and have only played them four times in program history, leading the series 3-1.

“Like TCU, since you’re not familiar with the players or the way they run their system, it takes a game or two to kind of get a feel for that,” said ISU coach Christy Johnson-Lynch. “But they’ll be in the same boat against us.”

What the ISU team does know is West Virginia (8-11, 0-5) is young. The Mountaineers returned just one starter from last season and seven of their 12 players are freshmen.

Last season the Mountaineers went 7-19 as a member of the Big East. The uncertainty of playing a new opponent for the first time may make the mental aspect less stressful for Iowa State.

“When you play a team that you know their tendencies, their players — you start to think too much,” said ISU libero Kristen Hahn. “Against West Virginia and teams like TCU, you just have to go out and play and focus on what we can do on our side and not so much about what they’re doing on their side.”

After dropping the first set on Saturday to Texas Tech, the Cyclones were forced to make quick adjustments to avoid a road loss. Iowa State went on to win the final three sets and the match in a dominating fashion.

Johnson-Lynch said in-match adjustments are important when facing an unfamiliar opponent but stressed that the team must first take care of its own side of the net.

“First you have to be playing at a pretty decent level to even make adjustments,” Johnson-Lynch said. “Too much of the time this season we’ve been trying to get to that level and not worrying so much about the other side of the net.”

If the Cyclones take care of their side of the net, they can worry more about what the Mountaineers have to offer such as a league-low .176 hitting percentage this season.

“You still can’t underestimate them at all,” said middle blocker Tenisha Matlock. “They could still hit that low but still be a great defense.”

Iowa State will find out Wednesday evening when they face off against West Virginia. First serve is set for 6:30 p.m. at Hilton Coliseum.