Emotions can run high on the opening night of any season. For the Cyclone volleyball team, those emotions were displayed after every kill was pounded to the ground on the Panthers’ side of the net in set one.

Whether a fist pump from freshman Jamie Straube, a roar from sophomore Rachel Hockaday, or a small grin from sophomore Victoria Henson, everyone could see the hunger on the faces of the Cyclones’ attackers.

“The adrenaline was definitely flowing, after three weeks of practice we were just ready to start the season,” said sophomore Rachel Hockaday. “Offensively we kind of dwindled, so tomorrow we are going to focus on starting out strong and maintaining that focus.”

ISU had a jump start to the season with a sweep over Wisconsin-Milwaukee Friday night at Hilton Coliseum 3-0 (25-13, 25-20, 26-24). Sophomore Kelsey Petersen along with Hockaday delivered a message from the outsides. With Hockaday on the left, and Petersen at right, the two Cyclones combined for 18 kills in three sets. Petersen finished with 10 kills, one away from her career high.

The Cyclone energy at the beginning of the match wasn’t enough to continue a dominating offensive performance throughout. Iowa State’s hitting diminished about mid-way through set two. ISU finished with just a .226 hitting percentage and ended with only a .178 total game percentage. Continuing the focus and momentum from point one is something Iowa State will focus on Saturday when they face Wisconsin-Milwaukee for the second time.

“We’ll want to start how we started tonight on (Saturday), but maintain that level of play the whole night,” said head coach Christy Johnson-Lynch. “When we subbed in some people it felt like people didn’t play as focused and we need to make sure that no matter who is in there we carry out the game plan.”

A difference maker and newcomer to the Cyclone roster, Straube, started the match in the middle blocker position. The 6’2″ attacker admitted to being nervous nearly the entire day prior to the match, typical for any freshman. But all it took was one not-so-typical play to change those emotions.

“She (Straube) is so aggressive and very athletic, which is exactly what we need in the middle,” Manns said. “I just wanted to have her do one good thing and I knew she would get in a rhythm.”

Her ‘one good thing’ to start her off for the Cyclones was a solo block that sent a big message to the Panthers, as she stuffed Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s biggest threat, junior Maddie Sueppel.

“Once I started out on that I knew I was going to be alright,” Straube said. “It’s always good to start on a good note.”