The focus on campus this weekend is on the Iowa-Iowa State football game, but for the ISU volleyball team, it will be a balancing act between being a fan and an athlete.

The players are going to try to make it to Saturday’s football game, but said they won’t let the atmosphere distract them from their match later that day.

“I’m going to go to the game for a while, of course,” said sophomore Kaylee Manns. “But I’m still going to know what my job is that night.”

After years of beatings at the hands of Texas A&M, the Cyclones (7-4, 1-0 Big 12) team is looking to exact more revenge when they take on the Aggies (10-1, 0-1 Big 12) at 6:30 p.m. at Hilton Coliseum.

It had been 16 years since the Cyclones were on the winning side of a match with the Aggies, before Iowa State swept the season series, 2-0, last year.

“Ending a losing streak is always a good thing,” coach Christy Johnson said of last year’s victories. “I think it is a sign of our players having more confidence that they can compete with the best teams in the Big 12.”

A&M has lived on its defense so far. The Aggies lead the Big 12 in opponents hitting percentage (1.03), kills (11.35), assists (10.55) and blocks (0.94) per game.

Riding a six-match winning streak, the timing is great for the Cyclones to beat A&M. A new, positive attitude has contributed to recent improvement in serving, passing and defense.

“Our defense is so much better than it was, same with our serving and passing,” Manns said. “Now we know we are going to win. We aren’t scared of anybody.”

The team hit .243 during its winning streak, but for Johnson, there is still room for improvement. Senior Erin Boeve is still learning to play outside hitter and only recently has junior Mary Bisenius stepped up opposite Boeve.

As Iowa State waits for those positions to fall into place, it will continue to rely on its strengths.

“I don’t think our offense is where it should be,” Johnson said.

“We have confidence that if our serve, pass and defense is in place, then our offense is going to click along with it.”

Even with all the expected craziness at the Iowa State Center, Johnson isn’t worried about a lack of focus from her team. Instead, she is looking at the day as an opportunity for the program to get some more exposure.

Fans can get into the match for free with a football ticket, and the team is hoping fans wander over.

“I think it is going to be crazy, but a good crazy,” Johnson said. “I’m hoping that the excitement with the football and the rivalry will carry over.”

Scouting the Aggies

Record: 10-1 (0-1 Big 12)

Player to watch: MB/RS Jillian Phillips (2.5 kills per game, .426 hitting percentage, 1.21 blocks per game)

Notes: Iowa State won both matches against Texas A&M last year. Texas A&M leads the all-time series 23-3. The Aggies started the season 10-0, surrendering only one game in that time, before losing their last game to Oklahoma.