After knocking off the unranked conference teams on its schedule, the ISU volleyball team ventures back into ranked territory.

The Cyclones are 4-2 in the Big 12, trouncing Texas, Colorado, Baylor and Texas Tech while succumbing to top-10 Nebraska and Missouri. The Longhorns were ranked No. 18 when Iowa State defeated them, and the Cyclones are preparing for another upset.

“We have to go in early and dominate,” said Meghan Ferrie. “We have to keep this energy going.”

Iowa State (11-6, 4-2 Big 12) travels to perennial powerhouse Kansas State on Saturday in a faceoff of prospering Big 12 programs. The Wildcats (13-3, 4-2) are ranked No. 20 after an effortless sweep over intrastate rival Kansas.

The Cyclones nearly defeated Kansas State last season in a 3-2 heartbreaker against the then-No. 15 squad. The Wildcats made a firmer stand in the teams’ second meeting with a 3-1 decision.

Kansas State’s two losses have come against Missouri and Texas, and that will be a factor when Iowa State steps up to the net.

“Kansas State is used to winning, and they’ve been in the top echelon of the conference for years,” said coach Christy Johnson. “We go in to every game the same, and we will prepare the same for them.”

After setting a school record by consecutively sweeping two conference teams, Iowa State will try to extend its winning streak.

Iowa State can expect fierce home-court protection at Bramlage Coliseum, however.

“With an early Tuesday game, we’ve had a few days to work on what we need to improve,” Johnson said. “We’ve been at home for a while now and need to get back on the road.”

Kansas State knocked off Kansas with a strong match from senior Agata Rezende, who slammed 14 kills for her 22nd career match with double-figure kills. Junior Sandy Werner and sophomore Stacey Spiegelberg follow Rezende in the Wildcats’ crushing offense.

Kansas State is fourth in the Big 12 with a .262 hitting percentage, nabbing 15.94 kills per game. Rezende is fifth in hitting percentage and kills with marks of .381 and 4.15, respectively.

“That team just doesn’t make mistakes,” Johnson said. “We will have to earn every point against them.”

But Kansas State will have to face the wrath of ISU middle Erin Boeve, who was named Big 12 Volleyball Player of the Week. Boeve was honored for her earlier performances, which she trumped with her showcase against Texas Tech. Her 10 kills, 10 block assists and .571 hitting percentage proved pivotal for the Cyclones.

The Cyclones remain two steps ahead of the Wildcats in the conference, with Katie Churm leading the conference in digs with a mark of 4.75 per game.

Angie Lastra leads Kansas State with 4.28 saves a game and a third-place ranking.

Boeve has 1.89 blocks per game to her Kansas State counterpart Joy Hamlin’s 1.43. Iowa State has stayed steady at second in the Big 12 in blocks, while Kansas State is nipping at its heels at third.

“At the beginning we were hoping to sneak up on teams but we can’t do that anymore; now we outright beat them,” Johnson said. “Teams spend more time preparing for us, because now they know we are legitimate. Now we make them work even harder.”