The ISU volleyball team will make its third trip to Texas in as many weeks this Saturday when it travels to Lubbock for a showdown with Texas Tech’s Red Raiders.

The Cyclones (9-5, 3-1 Big 12) are fresh off a thrilling 3-2 home victory over Missouri last weekend and are looking to build on their recent hot streak, winning eight of their last nine matches this season.

The Red Raiders (7-7, 1-4 Big 12) were ranked last in the Big 12 preseason poll and are one of the bottom three teams in the conference in nearly every statistical category. But the Cyclones refuse to overlook them, no matter what they may look like on paper.

“We still need to prepare the best we can,” said coach Christy Johnson. “It’s so early in the conference season that you can’t worry about records. They’re going to improve as the season moves on, so we can’t take this lightly.”

The Cyclones dropped a hard-fought, five-game match in Lubbock to a downtrodden Red Raider team last season and are doing all they can to prevent a similar outcome.

“We’re going to get ready for them just like any other team,” said junior Amy Vos. “Since they beat us last year, we know we can’t take it easy against any team in the Big 12, and we’re trying to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”

Texas Tech has seen its fair share of troubles in conference play so far this season, as the Red Raiders are currently on a four-match losing skid after winning their Big 12 opener against Colorado, one of two teams winless in conference play.

While Texas Tech and Iowa State seem to be moving in opposite directions, the Red Raiders were able to take a game from No. 7 Texas in a 3-1 loss Wednesday night, something the Cyclones failed to accomplish against the Longhorns last week.

It’s yet to be determined where Erin Boeve will fit into the lineup for the Cyclones, as she returned to her original position of middle blocker Saturday after playing the first 13 matches of the season at outside hitter.

“It could be a match-to-match decision,” Johnson said. “It will depend on matchups and deciding where she would be most effective. But after last weekend, it’s nice to know she can step in the middle and immediately be comfortable there without even a day of practice.”

The Cyclones continue to flourish on the defensive side of the ball, as they still lead the Big 12 in blocks per game (3.41) and rank third in opponent’s hitting percentage (.168).

Junior middle blocker Jen Malcom leads the Cyclones’ defensive charge, as she is tied for second in the conference in blocks per game (1.61).