Hilton Magic has been a theme at Iowa State ever since Des Moines Register reporter Buck Turnbull coined the phrase in 1989. It was originally used to describe the atmosphere inside Hilton Coliseum during basketball games.

Coach Christy Johnson-Lynch has shown that the ISU volleyball program can produce magic of its own.

Since Johnson-Lynch took over in 2005, Iowa State has become one of the top programs in the nation. The Cyclones have a combined record of 125-67 overall and 73-47 in conference play.

Before Johnson-Lynch took over, Iowa State had gone through nine straight losing seasons. In those nine losing seasons, they won just 13 Big 12 matches.

They have been ranked in the top 25 each of the past four seasons. With that success, attendance rankings have also climbed. Iowa State was ranked 36th in attendance in 2006. In 2009, the Cyclones cracked the top 10 for national attendance.

“I think if you haven’t been to a volleyball game, I encourage you to come,” Johnson-Lynch said. “It’s very fast-paced, it’s very athletic; Hilton has become one of the best arenas in the country to play volleyball in.”

It has also become one of the toughest for opposing teams to play in. During the past three seasons, Iowa State has won 70 percent of its home matches.

The 2009 Big 12 Coach of the Year has improved the quality of volleyball played inside Hilton Coliseum.

This makes the matches all that more exciting.

“People want to come see a winning product,” Johnson-Lynch said. “We’ve been top 20 for the past few years now, and we’re always one of the best teams in the Big 12. This means that if you come see a volleyball match, you’re going to see one of the best volleyball teams in the country.”

Johnson-Lynch brings experience to the table that has helped the volleyball program reach new heights.

She played at Nebraska, where she was voted to the All-American team. Johnson-Lynch was also part of the 1995 Nebraska national championship team.

Before coming to Iowa State, she spent eight years as an assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin.