Maybe the 71st time is the charm.

The ISU volleyball team will be looking for its first-ever win Wednesday night against Nebraska in Lincoln. Nebraska leads the all-time series 70-0.

Last year, the team took a big step toward ending that streak, taking a game from the Cornhuskers for the first time since 1994. Tonight, the Cyclones could get even closer to that first win.

“I felt like last year was the first step to make it competitive, when we played them at home,” said coach Christy Johnson. “Now, the next step is to make it competitive in their place.”

Part of the problem has been that place, the Nebraska Coliseum. Nebraska averages more than 4,120 fans a match – 102 percent of capacity. In the 29 years of the Big Eight/Big 12, Nebraska has only lost three regular season home conference matches – not exactly a welcoming environment for a visiting team.

But this season, the Cyclones (11-5, 5-2 Big 12) may not be affected like they have been in the past. With the exception of freshman Ashley Mass, every starter has traveled to Lincoln at least once and taken in the atmosphere, even if they didn’t get into the match. That familiarity could come in handy.

“As a freshman it was very intimidating for me,” said senior Laura Cady. “But now it is more exciting, it just gets you so pumped up.”

Johnson has an idea how her players feel. As a two-time All-American at Nebraska in the mid-’90s, Johnson spent plenty of time disappointing opponents who came to visit. Even now as a coach, the atmosphere and emotions that come with it have shaken her a little in her first two trips back to Lincoln. Now that Johnson is more comfortable coaching against her former team, those should be a nonfactor.

“This is my third time back, so I’ll be a little more relaxed and not so anxious as the match approaches,” Johnson said. “You can’t help but have a lot of emotions when you go back to your alma mater.”

Once the Cyclones get past the crazy environment, it doesn’t get any easier. Across the net from them will be the first-ranked, defending national champion and winner of 28 straight matches Nebraska Cornhuskers (14-0, 7-0 Big 12).

The Cornhuskers have the most potent offense in the Big 12, leading the conference in hitting percentage, kills and assists. Their defense isn’t too shabby either, leading the conference in opponent hitting percentage and coming in second in digs.

The biggest problem with stopping Nebraska is opponents can’t identify one player and focus on stopping her. Five Cornhuskers average at least 2.42 kills per game. For Iowa State to have a chance against such an offensive juggernaut, the team needs to focus on what it does well instead of what Nebraska does. Iowa State has lived by its defense so far this year, and the defense, especially the blocking, will have to be in top form for the Cyclones to have a shot.

“We have to serve as tough as we can to try and get the setter off the net so she doesn’t have three options every time,” said senior Erin Boeve. “I also think that in the middle we need to stay balanced so we can close [the block] on both sides.”

Statistically, it appears Iowa State matches up well. The team leads the conference in digs (19.19) and is third in blocks (3.12) per game. Whether that will translate to the court is yet to be seen, but it is a challenge the players are looking forward to.

“I think it will be a lot of fun,” Boeve said. “Our defense is really good and their offense is really good, so it should be a fun time.”

Scouting the Cornhuskers

Record: 14-0 overall, 7-0 Big 12

Good Wins: No. 5 UCLA, No. 3 Penn State, No. 11 Duke, No. 7 Texas.

Bad Losses: None

Player to watch: RS Sarah Pavan (4.67 kills per game, .337 hitting percentage, 2006 AVCA National Player of the Year)

Notes: Since moving back to MB, senior Erin Boeve is hitting .393 with 4.47 kills per game. She was hitting .141 at OH. Iowa State is 8-1 when winning the first game of the match. Nebraska has dropped only 1 game this season, against No. 5 UCLA. The Cornhuskers have beaten seven ranked teams, while the Cyclones have defeated two.