Just hours before the biggest volleyball match of her college career, freshman Kaylee Manns looked as if she didn’t have a care in the world.

Instead of worrying about her matchup with No. 1 Nebraska, Manns was on the edge of her seat, her bubbly personality bursting through as she enthusiastically blurted out answers and anecdotes.

But then that’s just how Manns is.

“Being stressed just isn’t my personality at all,” Manns said.

If she was feeling stressed, it would be easy to understand. Besides being a freshman in her first semester at a college almost 300 miles from home, Manns is the starting setter for the ISU volleyball team.

Starting as a freshman on a team with high expectations is difficult enough. The pressure is magnified for a setter, who is expected to be a leader of the team.

But then pressure is something Manns is used to.

As a sophomore at Washburn Rural High School in Topeka, Kan., she stepped into the starting lineup on a senior-laden team and led them to a third-place finish at the state tournament.

“Kaylee gained people’s respect with her ability and knowledge of the game,” said Kevin Bordewick, Manns’ high school coach. “Her personality lends to people migrating towards her as a leader.”

During her time at Washburn Rural, Manns grew accustomed to winning.

As a starter, she led the Blues to a 121-10 record and a state championship. Her high school success helped prepare her for college volleyball.

“I could tell that Kaylee was ready to go to that next level,” Bordewick said.

That familiarity with success is part of what has helped Manns fit in as a starter for Iowa State and acclimate to the level of Big 12 play.

“She has the mental ability to stay strong,” said senior Katie Jessen. “It is a whole different environment in college.”

Manns’ outgoing personality has also helped her transition. Because of her openness, she has been able to speak up more and become the leader her team needs her to be.

“She has a great personality that lends to her leadership qualities,” said Christy Johnson, Manns’ coach at Iowa State.

“I haven’t seen her get rattled in too many matches this year, which is amazing for a freshman. She seems to just take things in stride and not get too worked up, which is exactly what you need as a setter.”

Manns has responded to her role as a starter in admirable fashion. She has led the Cyclones to a school-record 10 conference wins and an NCAA tournament appearance.

She has also won the respect of her teammates.

“We have never thought she wasn’t confident or ready going into a match,” Jessen said.

It hasn’t been a smooth ride the whole way, though. Manns is also a full-time student, and for the self-proclaimed procrastinator, sometimes schoolwork has been a problem.

“It was hard to start the year missing a lot of classes [for volleyball],” Manns said. “At first it was difficult, but I’ve started to manage my time better, so things are getting easier. When we are on the road, we have nothing to do but study.”

Time management is crucial for a student-athlete, and at the beginning of the season, Manns’ lack of it made the coaches take notice.

“[Her procrastination] was definitely an issue early in the year that we tried to put a clamp on,” Johnson said. “I told her that to be viewed as a leader you have to make sure you are taking care of all of your responsibilities, whether that is making good decisions on the court or good decisions off the court. I think she has gotten a lot better on both ends.”

Johnson has been the biggest help for Manns as she adjusts to college life as an athlete. Along with helping her with volleyball, Johnson understands what it is like to be a setter starting for a team with expectations.

“I feel like I’ve already become a much better setter because of [Johnson],” Manns said. “She is so willing to work with you and make an adjustment for you. If you ever just need to talk, she is always there to listen.”

Manns also has the benefit of playing on an experienced team with veteran leadership. Many of her teammates have been in her situation themselves and have offered their blessings so far.

“[The seniors] know what it is like, so they have been really supportive,” Manns said. “If I make a mistake they pick me up. They are never like ‘Oh, my God, what is she doing?'”

As a pre-journalism and mass communications major moving toward more time-consuming courses, the road is only going to get busier for Manns. Her free time will disappear and her social life will suffer, but Manns knows that is what it takes to be successful.

“I do wish I had more free time,” Manns admitted. “It’s kind of the sacrifice you have to make. For now, my life is just volleyball and school.”