The ISU volleyball team heads to its second straight Round of 16 appearance Friday in Austin, Texas. The Cyclones will play 11th-seeded Oregon on Friday, and if they win they will take on either Texas or UCLA on Saturday. Here’s a look at each of Iowa State’s potential opponents:

Oregon

The ISU volleyball team matches up with 11th-seeded Oregon (25-8) on Friday night. The Ducks have a variety of weapons in their lineup, including Gorana Maricic and Marija Milosevic, two outside hitters Oregon strongly relies on.

The Ducks also present a threat in their defense, with senior libero Katie Swoboda, a key player in the lineup.

Oregon comes into the Round of 16 after defeating North Carolina 3-1. ISU coach Christy Johnson compared Oregon to other teams the Cyclones faced in the Big 12 conference, during the regular season.

“I don’t know that it’s much different from playing a Nebraska or a Kansas State or a Texas,” Johnson said. “We’re used to having to try and slow down two or three great hitters on a team.”

Iowa State was able to take a set from the Huskers for the first time in several years for the program. The Cyclones swept No. 13 Kansas State late in the season, and also beat the Wildcats in a match of five sets early this year.

“Oregon has two great outside hitters. They have very athletic middles,” Johnson said.

Maricic has 27 kills so far in the tournament, and outside hitter Sonja Newcombe has posted 28 in the two matches.

Having played in Austin previously this season, the Cyclones have somewhat of an edge over the Ducks, who have never played in Texas’ gym before.

Texas

If the Cyclones defeat the Ducks and continue on, Iowa State will most likely face Texas (27-3) on the Longhorns’ home court. Iowa State played in Austin earlier in the season.

“It’s a familiar territory. We’ve been there, we know what the Texas crowd is like,” said junior setter Kaylee Manns.

Texas presents a huge lineup, with junior outside hitter Destinee Hooker leading the way for the Longhorns. Texas’ junior setter Ashley Engle has the experience the Longhorns need to be successful.

Hooker has slammed 23 kills so far in the tournament, and Engle posted 75 assists in two games.

Texas comes off a win over Wichita State and an 11-game win streak.

Iowa State lost to Texas in both matches previously this year, but played them down to the wire each time.

In the last six sets Iowa State has faced Texas, four of them ended within two-point margins.

Hooker has notched 19 kills in the game in Austin, but was held to only 13 in the contest in Ames.

UCLA

If 14th-seeded UCLA upsets third-seeded Texas, the Cyclones would face the Bruins. UCLA (22-10) comes into the tournament after defeating Duke.

The Bruins rely on sophomore Dicey McGraw and senior Ali Daley to put the ball on the floor. Combined, the two outside hitters have posted 48 kills in the two games of the NCAA tournament.

Nellie Spicer, the Bruins’ senior setter, serves as a leader to UCLA, and notched 41 assists in the game against the Blue Devils.

Outlook:

Iowa State understands just how tough it will have to play in order to advance another notch in the tournament, and possibly upset the third-seeded team.

“Our players understand what it’s going to take to advance to Elite 8,” Johnson said. “It’s going to be incredibly difficult, and they’re going to have to play great ball.”

The Cyclones plan to concentrate on their side of the court, and not worry about the opponent’s seed.

“Our philosophy over the last two weeks has been don’t worry about the score, don’t worry about who you play, just grind it out,” Johnson said.