No. 12 Iowa State will have a specific goal to motivate it this weekend as it continues a grueling stretch of Big 12 play: revenge.

After a brutal four-set loss to Kansas two weeks ago, a match that is still fresh in the Cyclones’ minds, Iowa State (14-4, 7-3 Big 12) will have a chance to redeem itself against the Jayhawks (13-8, 4-6) on Saturday.

“We’re really, really excited,” said setter Alison Landwehr. “None of us have really forgotten what happened there and I think it’s a lot of motivation for us.”

Last time around, it was Iowa State’s first loss to an unranked opponent since being swept at Oklahoma on Nov. 22, 2008. Adding insult to injury, the numbers weren’t pretty for the Cyclones.

The Jayhawks hit at a .226 percentage in their home venue, holding the Cyclones to just .182. Kansas also out-killed Iowa State 57-51.

Even though the Cyclones went on to beat Kansas State, Texas A&M and Colorado after that loss, the match in Lawrence, Kan., has stuck with them. The need to settle the score is still mixed with fear for some players, but the team has gained some motivation from the experience.

“It’s a little scary because we did just lose to them,” said junior Debbie Stadick. “It’s also kind of a good thing because it’s fresh in our minds and we’re going to want revenge for sure.”

Although the team might have the heart for a rematch, there are some technical issues it will need to address. Last time, the Cyclones only averaged two blocks per set, which fell short of coach Christy Johnson-Lynch’s goal of two and a half to three blocks per set.

Iowa State will need to watch for Kansas’ outside hitters, who had a field day against the Cyclone blockers. That is something middle blocker Stadick was very aware of and she said she personally needs to think about it.

Both her and fellow middle Jamie Straube were struggling with injuries last time, which lead to some tentative playing and the lower blocking numbers.

“I think they’re feeling pretty good now,” Johnson-Lynch said. “Jamie is a lot better and her numbers have improved recently.”

The Cyclones will also need to work on matching Kansas defensively. Two weeks ago, the Jayhawks out-dug Iowa State 75-63.

Going into that match, the Cyclones were averaging 15.30 digs per set. Now they have improved to an average of 17.64.

“The mainstay of their program is to out-dig their opponents,” Johnson-Lynch said. “So we need to not just out-dig them but transition and convert balls that they dig into our offense.”

After the issues the Cyclones had last time, they are chomping at the bit for a chance to settle the score with the Jayhawks, particularly as they head into the season’s second round of Big 12 games.

“I hope they’re pretty motivated,” Johnson-Lynch said. “We need to not just go through the motions but we need to fight. We’re a ranked team and we’re the ones with the targets on our backs.”

The Cyclones will take on the Jayhawks on Saturday at Ames High School. The first serve of the rematch will be at 6:30 p.m.