As the ISU volleyball team approaches the mid-way point of its Big 12 schedule, having a week without a match is a welcomed break.

The No. 16 Cyclones (14-3, 5-1 Big 12) have played at least two matches a week since their season began on Aug. 26 and will now try to slow down during their off week.

“I think we’re tired. We will enjoy this bye week,” said ISU coach Christy Johnson-Lynch “We’re going to try to just rest and recover this week. I’ve learned that as much as you want to go and keep pushing, there comes a time where more isn’t going to be better.”

The Cyclones took over the top spot in the Big 12 standings with their 3-1 victory over Oklahoma on Saturday and will not return to the court until an Oct. 15 match against Baylor.

One player Johnson-Lynch mentioned that she felt would benefit from the rest was senior outside hitter Carly Jenson, who leads the team with 3.83 kills per set.

Jenson has already racked up 610 kill attempts this season and as that number goes up, so does the toll on the Omaha, Neb., native’s legs.

“We won’t have her jump very much and get her some rest,” Johnson-Lynch said of Jenson. “When you see Carly starting to hit the tape a little bit on her attack, that tells me she’s tired and needs a break.”

In Saturday’s win over Oklahoma, sophomore middle blocker Tenisha Matlock had one of her best performances as a Cycylone with 13 kills while hitting at a .357 clip.

Matlock also registered two solo blocks and four block assists, but said that toward the end of the match, she could feel some fatigue setting in.

“There were some pretty long rallies. There were some times when I would jump and couldn’t,” Matlock said after the Oklahoma match. “I just try to follow the ball and stay focused.”

Fellow middle blocker Jamie Straube said that when opposing offenses have been setting both outside hitters, it can wear down the defense.

“When they set each way a lot, then I feel like I’m running back and forth a lot because middles are usually jumping every play,” Straube said.

The Cyclones’ next match will be Saturday at Hilton Coliseum against Baylor at 6:30 p.m.