There were tears after the final match for the ISU volleyball team. The season was over, and for the seniors, their careers. But amid the sadness, there was something else – a sense of pride.

Even though their careers at Iowa State are over, the 2006 seniors are leaving behind a legacy. They helped change the course of the program, and this year led the team to arguably the best season in Cyclone history.

“This has just been an awesome year,” said senior Katie Churm. “It has been an experience I don’t think us seniors will ever forget.”

The pinnacle of success was when the Cyclones not only made the NCAA tournament – it was their first time since 1995 – but advanced to the second round. The team could advance no further, falling to 10th-seeded Wisconsin, but not before giving the Badgers a run for their money.

Just two years ago, the Cyclones suffered through an 8-21 season under former head coach Linda Crum. The team managed only one Big 12 win, going 1-19 and finishing in last place.

“Two years ago, I don’t think any of us would have dreamed we would be sitting here having advanced a round in the tournament,” said coach Christy Johnson.

The Cyclones set several records this year, team and individual. They set a new school record for Big 12 wins with 12, breaking last season’s mark of nine. The last two seasons combined, Iowa State racked up 21 conference wins after winning just 14 Big 12 matches in the first nine years of the conference.

Iowa State also challenged the dominance of other teams in the conference, ending streaks and showing the team belongs. The Cyclones defeated Texas A&M for the first time since 1989, Missouri for the first time since 1996, and Kansas State for the first time since 1995. The team also took a game off Nebraska for the first time since Johnson was a player there.

“The way our team has been playing over the season, I think we have come to expect a high level of play from our players,” Johnson said. “Win or lose, we expect to play at a high level.”

Along with the team achievements, there were numerous individual accomplishments. Junior Erin Boeve was named All-Big 12 First Team, the only player in school history to do so. For the week of Sept. 25 to Oct. 1, Boeve was also named the Sports Imports/AVCA National Volleyball Player of the Week and Big 12 Player of the Week. She also broke her single-season block assist record with 158, at the same time becoming the Cyclones’ all-time block assist leader, with 363 for her career.

Senior Katie Jessen added her name to the ISU record books as well. Jessen, the Cyclones’ outside hitter, passed the 1,000 career kill mark on Oct. 11 against Colorado, becoming just the sixth Cyclone to do so. Jessen finished her career with 1,214 kills, placing her fourth on the all-time list.

Senior libero Katie Churm became the third Cyclone to record back-to-back 400-dig seasons with 417. Her career total was 1421, good for third all-time at Iowa State.

Beyond the individual statistics, or even the team accomplishments, this year’s team did something wonderful. Not only did they earn the respect of other programs, they proved they belong in the national spotlight. As the seniors – Churm, Jessen, Nicole Lorenzen and Jessica Klein – leave Iowa State, they can leave happy knowing they helped resurrect ISU volleyball.

“Overall I’m happy with our season,” Johnson said. “I’m certainly happy and excited that we took our program to the next level.”