With senior middle blocker Jen Malcom sidelined with an ankle injury she suffered this week in practice, other members of the ISU volleyball team had to step up to replace her offense and blocking.

Freshman Debbie Stadick started her first Big 12 match in Malcom’s place and did not miss a beat in either aspect, putting down five kills on eight swings and hitting .625, while also stuffing Texas Tech hitters with one solo block and four block assists.

“Everyone knew they had to pick up the slack,” Stadick said. “She is usually such a big part of our team.”

Coach Christy Johnson said the efficiency of the Cyclone offense was impressive without one of their top hitters.

“I was interested to see what we would come up with tonight and how we would play,” Johnson said. “Jen is a huge part of our offense and have to have her out, not just her offense but her competitiveness, it was great to have one of our best players out and still play at a really high level.”

Stadick had only played in two sets in Big 12 play so far this conference season but did not miss a beat in her first start in a conference match, hitting for her highest hitting percentage in a match in her short career. Stadick did start four matches earlier in the season but was relegated to the bench for the most part before Wednesday.

“Deb is ready to play at any time and is a great player,” said setter Kaylee Manns. “I had all the confidence in the world in her coming in and it didn’t matter.

“She can jump in at any time and do a great job,” Manns said.

Johnson said Stadick’s 6-foot-3-inch frame along with long arms makes her a very tough obstacle to hit around or over in the middle.

“She was very alert — we commit blocked her several times and she did a very good job with that,” Johnson said. “She was really aggressive, which I loved to see because with freshmen who don’t play as much sometimes they get a little tentative.”

Diane Kieger also helped cover for Malcom’s production in the middle with nine kills on .438 hitting. Despite missing their leading blocker and hitter, percentage-wise, the Cyclones still out-blocked the Red Raiders eight to four and out-hit them .441-.118.

“It’s good to know that we can play this well without her in the lineup,” Johnson said. “It’s good to know that we have that depth and those options.”

Manns said it was a team effort to cover for what Malcom brings to the floor every night.

“When you have such an important player like Jen missing, everyone knows they have to step it up,” Manns said. “Everyone stepped up and did their job.”

Johnson said Malcom is day-to-day with whether she will play or not against Colorado Saturday.

“She is hopeful for Colorado but we will have to she how she feels and how the swelling goes,” Johnson said.