After dropping two of their first three Big 12 games, the No. 14 Cyclones have won two straight conference matches and will look to continue their success when they host the Missouri Tigers on Saturday.

Recently, the Cyclones (11-3, 3-2 Big 12) have not had much success against Missouri (10-5, 2-2 Big 12). The Tigers have won 21 of the last 24 matches since 1997. However, Iowa State holds the advantage against Missouri at home, as they have not lost to the Tigers at Hilton Coliseum since October 7, 2006.

Wednesday‘s match against Texas Tech marked the first time the Cyclones had outblocked an opponent since they hosted Colorado on Sept. 16. While it may not be a huge area of concern, it is a place coach Christy Johnson-Lynch is still looking to improve on when they play the Tigers.

“I feel like we’re a pretty physical team, a pretty athletic team, a pretty tall team, but we weren’t putting up the blocking numbers I think we should have,” Johnson-Lynch said. “I’m hoping that as we continue to work on it more and more, it will show up in matches.”

Iowa State may have its hands full with trying to improve those blocking numbers when they go up against junior outside hitters Julianna Klein and Paola Ampudia. Klein leads the Tigers in kills, with 170, while Ampudia is third on the team, with 123.

The Cyclones will look to capitalize on the success they had against Texas Tech both offensively and defensively.

Despite starting off conference play slowly, the Cyclones are right back in the thick of things as they are tied for third in the Big 12. Because of how close the Big 12 standings currently are, the Cyclones are approaching every game as a must-win.

“It’s a big game for us,” said junior libero Ashley Mass. “In the Big 12 everybody’s beating everybody right now; everything’s up for grabs.”

Saturday’s game will also be the last home game before the Cyclones embark on a two-game road trip.

Because of how well the other teams in the Big 12 have been playing, the Cyclones understand that winning at home is crucial as they look to improve their conference record.