A season after an early exit from the NCAA tournament and down two All-Americans — Victoria Henson and Ashley Mass — a rebuilding year might be acceptable.

It might be acceptable to everyone except the Iowa State Cyclones.

Iowa State (20-8, 13-7 Big 12 last season) responded by bringing in the nation’s No. 25 recruiting class. The Cyclone squad also features preseason Big 12 Newcomer of the Year in freshman outside hitter Hannah Willms.

Junior middle back Jamie Straube and setter Alison Landwehr have also been voted to the preseason All Big 12 team.

One of the constant praises coach Christy Johnson-Lynch has for her team is its athleticism.

“It’s a really good group,” Johnson-Lynch said. “We’re really athletic. I think I say that every year, but we continue to get more and more athletic.”

Through the first week of practice, newcomers have shown some promise. Freshman outside hitter Victoria Hurtt has impressed Johnson-Lynch so far.

“She has a nice arm. She’s a big body and she terminates really well,” Johnson-Lynch said. “I wasn’t sure if she’d be ready to do that as a freshman.”

Johnson-Lynch has also been praising the physical play of middle back Tenisha Matlock. Matlock doesn’t have a true position yet, but is believed to be effective at whatever position she settles into.

Junior outside hitter Rachel Hockaday, who suffered a season-ending ACL tear in the first match last season, is back in the lineup for the Cyclones.

“This is my first time going hard all the time,” Hockaday said of the first week of practice. “I’m definitely going to have to be patient, but it’s great just to be back out there.”

Hockaday was able to get a medical redshirt, which means she still has two years of eligibility remaining.

Coming off her injury, Hockaday feels good about the senior leadership on the team. Outside hitter Carly Jenson, defensive specialist Caitlin Mahoney, setter Kelsey Petersen and middle back Debbie Stadick make up the team’s senior core.

Willms also has benefited early on from the play of the seniors.

“They’re really big winners and are really helpful on the court,” Willms said. “I really look up to them. They just help me with the confidence.”

With all the factors coming into play for the season, the first-round exit from the NCAA tournament is what’s driving the team the hardest.

“You learn to not take anything for granted,” Straube said. “You never really know when the end is there. I never want to feel that again. It makes you appreciate all the wins along the way.”