It is known as a letdown game. Shortly after a big victory and with important games on the horizon, teams assume talent will overcome a lack of emotion, will have breakdowns and will lose games they should win.

The ISU volleyball team is making an effort to avoid such a match when it takes on a struggling Kansas State on Wednesday night at Hilton Coliseum.

Coming off a big win at Baylor and with big matches against Missouri and Nebraska coming up in the next few weeks, the team is trying to avoid a slip-up against the Wildcats.

“Kansas State has taken just about every team in the league to five games, so they have the capability of playing really well and winning,” said coach Christy Johnson. “I don’t think we will look past them.”

The Wildcats are a traditionally great program but are having a down year. The Cyclones, however, aren’t taking any game for granted as they look toward the postseason.

“As we near the end of the season, we are more and more excited about getting into the tournament, and we know how important all these games are,” said senior Katie Churm.

“Because they are in the bottom half [of the conference] there is even more pressure to win these ones.”

As the season wears on, the Cyclones are gelling as a team, and as a result, they are hitting for a higher percentage. The past two matches, both wins, Iowa State hit a marksman-like .300 as a team.

Part of that improvement has to do with the emergence of freshman setter Kaylee Manns. As she has taken over the starting role, the team has adjusted to her style, and as she improves, so does the team.

“A lot of that [success] has to do with the setter,” Johnson said. “If Kaylee can get them the ball in a good position, the hitters can score. I think part of it is our kids are just understanding it and raising their level a little bit.”

With the Cyclones style of play, that low-error volleyball is a huge advantage.

Iowa State is hitting .126 better in its wins than in its losses this season.

“Because we are a pretty good blocking team, if we can give them the ball and make them hit at us, between our blocking and digging abilities, that is really good for us,” said senior Jessica Klein.

Those digging abilities have been on display as of late. In the past three matches the Cyclones are averaging more than 20 digs a game, and for the season are second in the conference with 17.13, just 0.17 digs a game behind Nebraska. Five players are averaging more than 2.4 digs per game, led by Churm with 3.85 a game.

“We are doing a really good job of team effort,” Churm said. “Everyone is getting an equal amount of digs, so that is huge for us this year.”