ISU volleyball to face rival Hawkeyes on Saturday
Photo: Tim Reuter/Iowa State Daily
Middle blocker Debbie Stadick goes for a kill against Northern Iowa during the ISU-UNI game on Wednesday night at Ames high school. Stadick had a total of seven kills throughout the night and Iowa State won with a final score of 3-0.
September 1, 2011
Iowa State has three matches this upcoming weekend, but the annual rivalry showdown against Iowa looms large on its schedule.
The Cyclones are off to a 3-0 start after defeating Cincinnati, Northern Illinois and IUPUI. For coach Christy Johnson-Lynch, the biggest challenge she will face will come before the match.
“The thing that I’m most nervous about is the fact that it’s on a football game day,” Johnson-Lynch said. “We expect a big crowd, and our players are going to have to take a deep breath before we start and don’t get too hyped up.”
Senior outside hitter Carly Jenson got off to a hot start.
Jenson recorded a career-high 26 kills against NIU and finished with a .432 hitting percentage against Cincinnati. The Omaha, Neb., native is going to be key to the Cyclones’ attack this weekend and throughout the season.
“She has become a great player because of her great work ethic, determination and will,” Johnson-Lynch said. “She’s learned how to work really hard to get to the ball to get kills on any kind of set.”
The Iowa-Iowa State rivalry has been dominated by the Cyclones as of late. They have swept the Hawkeyes three of the past four seasons and six straight coming into this season.
The Hawkeyes are coming in to the match at 1-2 and are a very balanced team in attack. Outside hitter Alex Lovell leads the team in kills at 2.3 per set. Defensive specialist Brittany Yeager is averaging 4 digs per set, while middle back Mallory Husz holds her own at the net.
The recent domination in the rivalry series has the Cyclones feeling confident.
“I’m not even from Iowa, but it’s grown on me in three years, that we have to beat Iowa,” said senior Jamie Straube, who’s from Tecumseh, Neb. “Once we get to that match, it’s hard not to get motivated for it.”
For some it will be the first taste of the rivalry. Freshmen outside hitters Victoria Hurtt and Hannah Willms are eager to get in on the action.
“I’m really excited to play in that match,” Hurtt said. “I’ve heard so much about how intense it is. I’m going to have to make sure I don’t get too nervous.”
