After dropping a five-set match to Texas on Sunday, Iowa State (12-3, 3-1 Big 12) turns its attention to Kansas State in Manhattan. The Wildcats (13-4, 2-1 Big 12) are led by sophomore middle blocker Kaitlynn Pelger and junior setter Caitlyn Donahue.

Pelger leads the Big 12 in kills and total points per set with 4.67 and 5.73. Donahue is averaging 11.67 assists per set. She is the only setter in the conference who is averaging more assists per set than ISU setter Alison Landwehr.

Landwehr averages 11.02 assists per set and is now ninth all-time at Iowa State for assists. She has totaled 1,861 in her three seasons.

For the Cyclones, aggressive serving is going to be key in order to neutralize the Wildcats’ threats defensively.

“Once we [serve] and they hit back an easy ball, we need to take advantage of that,” Landwehr said. “We have to try to focus on running little plays that will add up.”

Iowa State’s loss to Texas broke a streak of three straight sweeps by the Cyclones. The Cyclones have won their past two road contests against Kansas and Texas Tech. They have swept Kansas State in the past five matches.

While the Cyclones have owned the series as of late, Kansas State is showing signs of improvement.

“We know they run a pretty fast offense,” said coach Christy Johnson-Lynch. “If we can get the setter off of the net and get them away from running a really quick offense, that will be easier for us to defend.”

The Wildcats have shown vulnerability at the net this season. Opponents have averaged almost three blocks per set so far against them. Kansas State averages 2.32 blocks per set.

Kansas State plays a similar blocking style to Iowa State with the swing-blocking technique. It is going to be important to get them out of that rhythm.

“You want to run quick stuff to the pins so that the block is pinched in and you can probably beat them out toward the antennae,” Johnson-Lynch said. “You have to get the blockers thinking one thing, then go to the middle.”

The game is set to start at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The game will be televised in Kansas.