After a Sweet 16 appearance last season, the ISU volleyball team opened its spring schedule against teams that also made dents in the NCAA tournament field.

The Cyclones went 1–2–1 in a weekend tournament Saturday at West Towne Courts in Ames.

“We talked about playing hard and being the hardest working team in the gym,” said coach Christy Johnson-Lynch. “I don’t think we really achieved that goal. At times, the teams on the other side outworked us a little bit, especially defensively.”

One look at this year’s field wouldn’t suggest that it was just a spring tournament — Kansas State, North Dakota State, Northern Iowa and Minnesota also participated.

Minnesota reached the Final Four last season and lost to eventual runner-up Texas. Northern Iowa is coming off of a 30–2 season and a NCAA tournament berth.

“We really don’t play a bad team this spring,” Johnson-Lynch said. “I think this was a little bit of a reality check for us that it’s not all going to just come together magically.”

After splitting their first match with Kansas State, the Cyclones managed a sweep of North Dakota State. They easily took the first set 25–11, but found themselves tied at 18 late in the second set. However, a late run and costly North Dakota State service error gave the Cyclones a 25–20 win.

Against Northern Iowa, the Cyclones found themselves at the other end of a sweep. The Panthers jumped out to an early 11–3 lead, but allowed Iowa State back to later tie the score at 21. Following a timeout, Northern Iowa finished off the set with a 25–23 win. The second set wasn’t as close as the Northern Iowa block stifled the Cyclones in a 25-18 win.

“I think we had stretches where we were really good, but we had stretches where we were really bad,” Johnson-Lynch said. “So we’ve got to find consistent level of play.”

The sweeps weren’t done for Iowa State as it fell victim to Minnesota by scores of 25–16 and 25–18. For the second-straight match, the Cyclones struggled to hit through the opponent block and weren’t able to get into regular rhythm on offense.

“I thought our blocking would be a little bit better, but we struggled in that area today,” Johnson-Lynch said. “I definitely saw some glaring things I didn’t expect so we’ll have to go back and address those.”

The biggest change on the court was the absence of two-time All-American setter Kaylee Manns. Sophomore Alison Landwehr has taken over for Manns after she started at setter for the last four years.

“We’re getting used to it,” Johnson-Lynch said. “When you seem to have someone there for so long you get used to that, but Alison’s been the starting setter since January.”

Landwehr entered spring practice with just five matches of experience under her belt. While most of the team split time throughout the tournament, Landwehr was on the court for every single point.

“She’s really coming along and doing a nice job,” Johnson-Lynch said. “Just like everybody else she’s got some things to work on, but she’s got a good sense of the game and just needs to continue to improve.”

The team will continue its spring work this Thursday at Hilton Coliseum. The current Cyclones will face off against an alumni team at 7 p.m.