An upset over a ranked opponent is thrilling to any team, but the ISU volleyball squad has learned that the way a big win is followed also counts.

The Cyclones surprised No. 18 Texas in their Big 12 home opener Saturday in a heart-pounding 3-1 decision. It was only the second time in school history Iowa State defeated the Longhorns, and already the Cyclones have matched their conference wins from last year.

“It was a great win and lots of people were so excited for us; I’ve been getting calls of congratulations all weekend,” said coach Christy Johnson.

The win is reminiscent of Iowa State’s shocker over intrastate foe Northern Iowa, which the Cyclones swept in three games. They followed the win with three straight losses in the Results Advertising Missouri State Classic, just the opposite of how the Cyclones had hoped to use that athletic high.

“How we responded after UNI, we can’t do that again,” Johnson said.

“Texas was a great victory, but we have to move past it pretty quick and on to the next game.”

Baylor (9-3, 1-0 Big 12) is awaiting the fired-up Cyclones, as Iowa State travels to Waco on Wednesday night for its third conference battle. The Bears’ one win in the Big 12 came after cruising to a 3-1 victory over Texas Tech on Sept. 14.

“We have confidence after our win, but we’re not letting it go to our heads,” setter Amanda Craig said. “We will play it like any other match, because everyone in the Big 12 is good. We’re just going there looking for a good game.”

Iowa State (7-5, 1-1) lost in four games to Baylor twice last season, but Johnson said the team will be expecting a different Iowa State team after the Texas bout.

“We used to feel like we could sneak up on teams for wins, but once you get a win like that, you’ve alerted your future opponents,” she said. “Now we have to prepare even more and work even harder.

“We have to stay humble and make sure we don’t think we have it all figured out this early in the game.”

Expectations were high for Baylor’s preseason all-conference selection Desiree Guilliard-Young, but she has been kept on the sidelines with an injury thus far this season. Nicole LeBlanc has been picking up the slack with 3.77 kills per game, followed by teammate Stella Odion at a 3.72 mark.

“Desiree is a 6-foot-5 middle blocker and a great player,” Johnson said. “We don’t know if she’ll play or not, but we’re prepared either way.”

Kristen Schramek is controlling the back row with 3.98 digs per game, and setter Emily Huston is pushing out an average of 12.09 assists.

Amanda Modglin is ranked fifth in the Big 12 with 1.4 blocks per game, helping the team secure fourth place overall. The Bears are also ranked fourth in digs; Iowa State is second.

“They are a solid team who has made a lot of progress with its new coach,” Johnson said. “They are athletic and not too different from us, as in they are still a building team.”

Craig said her team can bring the intensity it brought against Texas, but hopefully they bring it a little sooner.

“We hope to set a pace early and establish that in the first game,” she said.

“We need to get our confidence early and roll with it, and then be able to push in those later parts of the game. Each match gives us more momentum.”