Libero Ashley Mass and outside hitter Victoria Henson, both seniors, have enjoyed tremendously successful careers with trips to the NCAA Tournament each season and All-American recognition in 2009. Both Mass and Henson have enjoyed that success humbly, choosing to lead by example throughout their tenures as Cyclones.

Take a peek at the future for ISU volleyball, and already two players have emerged with vastly different personalities.

A “bubbly” middle blocker and right side hitter Tenisha Matlock and a “loudmouth” defensive specialist/libero Kristen Hahn have provided a spark for the team in practice and now in matches for the No. 12 Cyclones (15-4, 8-3 Big 12).

Both had significant playing time in the Cyclones’ 3-0 home sweep of the Kansas Jayhawks, with Matlock starting her first match of the season in place of junior right-side hitter Kelsey Petersen. Out of the two, Matlock has seen more time this season, as the Kansas match marked her 12th appearance on the court for the Cyclones.

Matlock’s in-match numbers haven’t been staggering — 0.96 kills per set with a .147 hitting percentage — but coach Christy Johnson-Lynch has seen Matlock thrive in practice, prompting Matlock’s first collegiate start on Saturday.

“I think Tenisha has been playing really, really well in practice lately, and I thought that based on the way she’s been practicing, she deserved a shot to see what she can do,” Johnson-Lynch said. “She’s a very positive person, she’s very energetic, very bubbly. It’s always fun to see her out there.”

After last Wednesday’s match at Colorado, Johnson-Lynch spoke with Matlock about how impressed she was with her recent performance in practice and told Matlock that she was thinking about starting the North Platte, Neb., native Saturday against Kansas.

Working at both middle blocker and at right-side hitter during practice, Matlock has seen her game become more multi-faceted.

“I think I’m just more aggressive, and I’m learning more about my block and how to hit in different ways,” Matlock said.

Although getting to start as a freshman is a big accomplishment for Matlock, she would rather see Petersen start the match and come in later if needed.

“I looked forward to starting, but I prefer to see Kelsey go out first and see how she does her thing,” Matlock said. “If she’s not getting the job done then I’ll try and get the job done, and if I’m not getting it done then she’ll go back in.”

Johnson-Lynch assured Petersen that the change at right-side hitter wasn’t due to her recent performance.

“It’s not so much a reflection on the person that we pulled, it’s a reflection on the people that are really practicing well,” Johnson-Lynch said.

Hahn, a Cedar Rapids Kennedy prep, has played in 8 of 19 matches this season, contributing 15 digs as a substitute in the back row. Hahn has cherished her early playing time and credits Johnson-Lynch for helping her adjust to the college game.

“It shows Christy’s confidence in her freshmen, and it makes me more confident knowing that she can just put me in when she needs someone, it eases your jitters,” Hahn said. “I got really nervous at first, but it’s gotten a lot better as she keeps putting you in; you get really accustomed to the pace of the game. It’s fun.”

Hahn has been a change of pace for the Cyclones’ back row, having more of a vocal presence than Mass, the Big 12 record holder in digs.

“Part of my recruitment was that I’m a loudmouth, always cheering, always excited,” Hahn said. “I try and bring that even in practice when things are kind of boring or drills aren’t that exciting.”

Hahn has been reminded of her state tournament experience from high school as she has transitioned into the high-intensity level of the college game.

“Kristen has a lot of energy; she’s very athletic, she’s a great defensive player,” Johnson-Lynch said. “We just wanted to see what she could do if given the opportunity, and I thought she did a really nice job.”

With only nine matches remaining in the regular season, Johnson-Lynch hopes that getting Matlock and Hahn some minutes should help add depth to the ISU lineup as they look poised to qualify for their fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament.

“Tonight we wanted to just give some other people some chances if we felt we could and just see if they could add something and have an impact on the match,” Johnson-Lynch said.

Coming off the win over Kansas, the Cyclones will now travel to Manhattan, Kan., to face Kansas State at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Iowa State defeated Kansas State 3-0 at home on Oct. 13.