The ISU volleyball team is getting ready for another season, hoping to build off last year’s success and take the next step.

Since ISU coach Christy Johnson-Lynch arrived at Iowa State in 2004, the Cyclones have had success and have not had a losing season. However, Johnson-Lynch said getting there than it is easier than staying there.

“One thing we’ve learned the last couple years is to not take anything for granted,” Johnson-Lynch said. “After we lost in that first round in the NCAA tournament two years ago, you know, I think that was the last time we’ll ever take for granted that those things are just going to happen for us. We have got to continue to work hard and do the things that got us to the top in the first place.”

The Cyclones are projected to finish second in the Big 12 this season, right behind the defending conference champion Texas and they are embracing that ranking and using that as their motivation.

“In the Big 12, no matter what you’re ranked every place is tough to play,” said senior Jamie Straube. “You can be ranked five spots ahead of someone, but going on the road playing night after night, it can be tough no matter what a team is ranked so you can’t take anything for granted.

“We’re definitely one of the teams with a target on our backs but you just have to come in every night ready to play.”

Junior libero Kristen Hahn said she plans to use the ranking as motivation for herself this season.

“We wanted that No. 1 spot and I think we are going to be able to do that this year,” Hahn said. “We’ve never won a Big 12 championship and we can with this team.”

Last season the Cyclones were one of the top seeds in the NCAA tournament and advanced all the way to the Elite Eight before being eliminated by Florida State.

“We’ve knocked on the door to the Final Four a couple of times now, next up for us is to get there,” Johnson-Lynch said. “We’ve knocked on the door for a Big 12 championship, the next step is to get there.”

Straube said they don’t want to settle with making the Elite Eight.

“The people before I was here just worked so hard to get Iowa State to this point and I think it’s just up to us to keep that improvement going,” Straube said. “They didn’t settle for just making the tournament. The Final Four is next on the list.”