Whether it’s showing someone how to parallel park or how to handle a match point in the fifth set of a volleyball match, teaching is easier if someone has been there before. 

There’s no doubt that the new leader in all-time wins as an ISU volleyball coach, Christy Johnson-Lynch, has that experience. 

“In one-on-one meetings in the past when I was having confidence issues, she definitely could relate to me because she has been through a lot of pressure from playing at Nebraska, and she definitely has helped me with that aspect of my game,” said senior defensive specialist Caitlin Mahoney.

Johnson-Lynch’s experience in the NCAA Tournament goes back to her collegiate playing career at Nebraska, where she earned All-America honors for the Huskers in 1994 and 1995.

Johnson-Lynch was the starting setter on the 1995 the team that won Nebraska’s first NCAA championship. The Huskers made four NCAA tournament appearances and won three Big Eight titles during Johnson-Lynch’s time at the school.

As an upper classmen in her junior and senior campaigns in Lincoln, Johnson-Lynch led Nebraska to a 63-2 mark, the second-best winning percentage of any setter in NU history. The Huskers were an unblemished 24-0 in Big Eight play over that time period and won two Big Eight crowns.

Johnson-Lynch was also named to the 1995 NCAA Championship All-Tournament team, the 1994 and 1995 NCAA Regional All-Tournament team and the 1994 and 1995 Big Eight Conference All-Tournament teams. She also has international experience as a member of the 1989 U.S. Junior National team and as a member of the 1993 U.S. National “B” Team. 

Junior middle blocker Jaime Straube mentioned that her favorite quality of Johnson-Lynch’s is that she is so approachable. 

“For me to be able to go into a meeting and talk to her about everything from volleyball to school just really helps me be able to relate to her,” Straube said.

Another thing that Johnson-Lynch has demonstrated the ability to do in her short six-year career is develop players. 

In her handful of seasons at Iowa State, she has developed four All-Americans. Under Johnson-Lynch’s teaching, Kaylee Manns, Ashley Mass, Victoria Henson and Jaime Straube have all earned All-America honors including First-Team All-America for Mass and Henson, who are the only players in ISU history to receive those honors.

Manns played as a setter, which is Johnson-Lynch’s natural position, and flourished undoubtedly. Manns became the first player in Big 12 history to record 5,500 assists, 1,000 digs, 300 kills and 300 blocks in her career at Iowa State.

Many upperclassmen said that Johnson-Lynch has the ability to teach on different levels. 

“She not only works with players on technical things, but she also works with us on the mental aspect of the game,” Mahoney said. “Now as a senior she helps with situational things, rather than when I was a sophomore and junior where she would really help me with my passing and defense.”

Johnson-Lynch adjusts her coaching style for upperclassmen, like Mahoney, but also can adjust to coach the underclassmen. That adjustment is key to bringing up young players. 

“She’s awesome at prying into your ability and really focusing on A) what you need to work on, and B) your strengths and how to play off your strengths,” said freshman setter Taylor Goetz. “She’s a coach that everyone has so much respect for since she’s been there and been in our shoes before, I think that helps out so much.”

With Johnson-Lynch having started as a setter on Nebraska’s first national title team, it is easy for her to relate to players in dealing with high-pressure situations. 

“Having a coach that has played at that high of a level, she knows situations and knows what it’s like to be a player,” said senior middle blocker Debbie Stadick. “Just from being an all-around player she’s got it all.”