After coming up short in two home matches to open the season, the ISU volleyball team will try its luck on the road when it travels to Tempe, Ariz., over the Labor Day weekend.

The Cyclones (0-2) are looking to jumpstart an offense that saw its fair share of struggles earlier this week at Hilton Coliseum.

“We have to improve our offensive numbers to be successful this weekend,” said coach Christy Johnson. “It doesn’t matter what setter is playing, we just have to get back to the basics and make sure we serve and pass well.”

The Cyclones failed to hit above .100 in both of their first two matches, as they were held to .049 against Middle Tennessee State on Sunday and .098 against Creighton on Tuesday.

The story has been completely different for the Cyclones on the defensive side, as their 38 block assists against Middle Tennessee broke a school record for a single game, beating the 37 they registered at home against Colorado last season.

Iowa State leads all of the Big 12 teams with 4.12 blocks per game.

The Hilton Phoenix/East Mesa Challenge will test the Cyclones in a number of ways and against a variety of teams, as their first road trip will have them playing four matches in three days.

“It’s definitely going to be a grueling weekend, and I think we’re ready,” Johnson said. “But the big thing for us isn’t going to be as much about being in shape as it is about staying tough mentally for all four matches.”

Iowa State will match up against Northern Arizona (2-1) in the first of two matches on Friday, and will face off against New Mexico (4-0) in the Friday nightcap. The Cyclones are 2-1 all-time against New Mexico, the only team of the weekend they have played in previous years.

Preseason All-Conference setter Kaylee Manns will be eligible to play Friday night against New Mexico, as the afternoon match against Northern Arizona will mark the last of a three-match suspension.

The Cyclones will then face two NCAA Tournament qualifiers to round out the weekend, taking on Arizona State (0-3) on Saturday and Long Island (2-2) on Sunday.

“Getting to play four games is a big opportunity for us,” said senior Lauren Cummings. “It’s going to give us time to straighten some things out and give us some more tough competition leading into the Big 12 schedule.”

Tournament Fast Facts:ÿ

Iowa State vs. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (2-1, 8-18 in 2006): Noon Friday

Notes: The Lumberjacks return five starters from a team that struggled in 2006, but have a much brighter outlook for 2007. The team was ranked sixth in the preseason for the Big Sky Conference.

Iowa State vs. New Mexico Lobos: (4-0, 10-20 in 2006): 4 p.m. Friday

Notes: Despite a tough year in 2006, the Lobos, led by first-year coach Jeff Nelson, are 4-0 for the first time since 1994. The team has returned five starters and its libero from last season.

Iowa State vs. Arizona State Sun Devils: (0-3, 16-15 in 2006): 3 p.m. Saturday

Notes: The Sun Devils advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2006, finishing in sixth place in the ultra-competitive Pac-10 Conference. The team returns 11 of 14 letter winners from last season.

Iowa State vs. Long Island Blackbirds: (2-2, 25-11 in 2006): Noon Sunday

Notes: After winning the Northeast Conference and reaching the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive year in 2006, the Blackbirds have been tabbed as the preseason favorite in the NEC in 2007. NEC Player of the Year and Tournament MVP Martina Wagner commands a potent offense that led the NEC in nine categories last season.