For the first time in 2009, the Cyclones showed a strong defensive effort on the road. A variety of Iowa State players displayed their improvements on Wednesday night against Oklahoma in the Big 12 road test. The Cyclones showed that if they don’t block the ball, they’ll dig it.

The Cyclones (13-3, 5-2) aim to bring that defensive mentality to Saturday’s game as Iowa State travels to Lawrence, Kansas to face the Jayhawks (9-6, 2-4) in another conference road challenge.

Iowa State’s blocking and digging showed improvements as 17 total blocks by the Cyclones was abnormally high for the team, and five players finished with double-digit digs. In the past, Cyclone volleyball has been known for its defense and the team is stepping up considerably in that aspect of the game.

“We already knew (Rachel) Hockaday and (Ashley) Mass were great defensive players but I think we have a lot of other people coming around,” said coach Christy Johnson-Lynch. “We feel as a program that defense is important. We spend a lot of time on it and I think some of our players are becoming more comfortable with it.”

Along with a defensive vacuum in the back court, the Cyclones were able to relax for the first time on the road in conference this season, something Iowa State will need to bring on its trip to Kansas.

“We figured out in that match how to relax and play through it, so I think that’s a big step for our team and I think going into Kansas just knowing that we can go on the road, play a good team and come out with a win,” Johnson-Lynch said.

Against Kansas, that blocking and digging effort will be crucial as junior outside hitter Karina Garlington has been a threat in the past to the Cyclones.

Garlington posted 29 kills in the Jayhawks’ victory over Iowa State last year in Lawrence.

“She’s really fast, she’s got a great arm,” Johnson-Lynch said. “We’re hoping the improved blocking will help slow any great outside hitter that we see.”

The six-foot outside hitter is still making a mark for the Jayhawks this season as she averages 3.76 kills per set. If the Cyclones’ zone in on Garlington, sophomore outside hitter Allison Mayfield could give Iowa State problems as she averages 3.30 kills per set for 2009.

“It’s always a risk, you know, you commit block on her someone else steps up,” said senior captain Kaylee Manns. “So it’s just hit or miss and again it’s going to all go to defense.”

In part, the blocking improvements made by Iowa State have been a result of assistant coach Trudy Vande Berg’s teaching techniques. In her first year on the Cyclone staff, Vande Berg brings specifics to the art of middle blocking.

“She has so much finesse so she does a great job at just picking apart the little things that you wouldn’t think would help you a lot, but it gets you that little bit faster so you can get to the ball,” said sophomore middle blocker Debbie Stadick.

The quick offense the Jayhawks rely on will be something that will test the improving Cyclone blocking game. Johnson-Lynch noted that the Jayhawks have a double quick in nearly every rotation.

“That puts a little pressure on our blocking so we just have to have faith that our blocking will come through and if we don’t block it we’ll dig behind it,” Johnson-Lynch said.