The No. 14 ISU volleyball team will return to the state of Texas for the third time this month when they take on Texas Tech on Wednesday night at United Spirit Arena in Lubbock.

The Cyclones (10–3, 2–2 in the Big 12) will attempt to get their conference record back over .500 against the Red Raiders (2–9, 0–2) after sweeping Kansas State on Saturday.

“I think it’s going to be a big game for us,” said sophomore outside hitter Rachel Hockaday. “We’re definitely going to have to focus and be ready to go because we need to win a road game.”

All three of the Cyclones’ losses have been on the road this season, including two straight losses to Big 12 opponents Texas and Baylor earlier this month.

Helping with the defensive effort is junior libero Ashley Mass, who received Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors for the third time this season and ninth time of her career on Monday. Mass recorded 50 digs over the past week, including a Big 12 record for digs in a three-set match with 33 against Kansas State.

Putting games away has been another problem for Iowa State. In the sweep of Kansas State, the Cyclones faced six ties late in the second set before finally ending it at 25–22. In the third set against Baylor, the Cyclones held six match points, but still eventually lost the set.

“I think it’s going to come with experience,” said coach Christy Johnson-Lynch. “We can practice it, but we’ll just have to get better at it as the season goes.”

The match against Kansas State saw six ISU attackers hit over .300, taking some pressure off junior outside hitter Victoria Henson, who leads the team with 4.08 kills per set.

“When everyone steps up offensively, it’s harder for the blockers to follow,” Hockaday said. “When it’s just Victoria hitting, it’s hard for her because the other team has double blocks set up on her. When everyone hits, she’s able to hit around one blocker.”

The play of the middle blockers has been especially strong as of late and has contributed to the more balanced attack the Cyclones have had.

“Any time you have other hitters that are stepping up, it opens up the block for the outside hitters,” Johnson-Lynch said. “If we can get other teams to honor our middle and right sides, it will help the hitting efficiency of our outsides as well.”

Texas Tech is led by sophomore middle blocker and outside hitter Amanda Dowdy, who leads the team in kills per game with 3.28 kills per set as well as.440 aces per frame. As a team, Texas Tech ranks last in the Big 12 with a .147 hitting percentage and a .262 hitting percentage allowed.

Texas Tech’s last match, scheduled for last Wednesday, was postponed due to six players being sick with the flu. Because of a bye over the weekend, Texas Tech hasn’t played since Sept. 19.

Although Iowa State trails in the all-time series against Texas Tech 20–9, the Cyclones have won the last five meetings between the teams.