In the midst of the Big 12 schedule, the No. 21 ISU volleyball team will play a rather rare nonconference match against South Dakota State on Tuesday, Oct. 30, in Brookings, S.D.

The Cyclones (13-7, 7-3 Big 12) are making their first trip to South Dakota State (16-9, 7-4 Summit League) in a return match. Iowa State hosted South Dakota State in 2010, when it defeated the Jackrabbits in three sets.

ISU coach Christy Johnson-Lynch feels confident in her squad performing well in a nonconference match this late in the season and not having a let-down match. She feels the team has gotten into a good groove and developed mental toughness.

“I think the team is mature enough at this point to understand that it’s still important, and we still have to be good to win there,” Johnson-Lynch said. “I’m confident at this point that the way we’re playing and the way the team is approaching matches. I feel confident they will be ready to play.”

While Iowa State is 4-1 all-time against South Dakota State, the two schools have never played a match in Brookings. It will be a match, Johnson-Lynch said, SDSU fans will be looking forward to.

“I’m expecting a nice crowd there,” Johnson-Lynch said. “I think they’re very excited to have us up there and I’m expecting a tough environment.”

The Cyclones are coming off a week where the team upset then-No. 17 Kansas in four sets on Wednesday and a sweep against TCU on Saturday. Johnson-Lynch feels that while her team started the season a little uneasy, it has hit it its’ stride in the second half of the season.

Johnson-Lynch has been satisfied the last few weeks with a mentality to never ease up on an opponent. The Cyclones are riding a three-match winning streak going into their match against the Jackrabbits, something Johnson-Lynch thinks gives the team a lot of confidence.

“Momentum is a real thing and we have some going for us right now but we have to keep it rolling,” Johnson-Lynch said. “We have to play well this week to keep that momentum going into November and December.”

Iowa State’s match against South Dakota State is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Brookings, S.D.