The ISU volleyball team clinched a four-game win over conference rival Baylor on Wednesday night, setting itself up for its toughest competition yet.

Nothing will come easily for the Cyclones this weekend as they face the daunting task of entering Nebraska Coliseum, home of the No. 1 team in the nation.

The Huskers have a flawless record under their belt with 10 wins, no losses and a 2-0 mark in the Big 12. The team tops nearly every category in the conference, including hitting percentage and blocks, solidifying its intimidating presence at the net.

Nebraska smothered Texas A&M on Wednesday night in three games, with four players notching double-figure kills, including 14 from freshman Jordan Larson.

Senior Amanda Craig said the team will have its hands full with the tradition it will be up against.

“You won’t see us discrediting Nebraska,” she said. “They are number one for a reason.”

Outside hitter Nicole Lorenzen said the atmosphere of the Coliseum will be a positive factor, because the energy the fans emit relay to both sides of the net.

“It’s difficult playing there with all those fans, but those fans are nice and cheer for both sides,” she said. “The energy there makes us want to try so much harder.”

Lorenzen said the team’s passing will be crucial because of the stormy offense Nebraska will send their way. The Huskers, who run a 6-2 offense with three hitters always at the net, will be a challenge for Iowa State to follow.

“We have to remember to always pay attention to three hitters,” coach Christy Johnson said. “They have great athletes and we’ll be going up against a big block. We’re going to be digging some hard hits.”

Melissa Elmer has been a consistent conference leader with 2.3 blocks per game, and she is often joined at the net by fourth-ranked Sarah Pavan, who knocks back 1.39 stuffs a game. ISU sophomore Erin Boeve is one place behind Elmer with 1.76 blocks per game, and Katie Churm takes the second spot in digs with a 4.87 percentage.

Johnson said although Nebraska is highly favored to win, her team will come into the match as it has in its two previous wins.

“Nebraska is going to do some spectacular things, and we can’t let that get us rattled,” Johnson said. “We have to take them like we did Texas by not getting wrapped up in the hype. We have to take each point as it comes.”

The Cyclones will be going into the Nebraska match off of a big win over conference foe Baylor.

Despite enduring struggles along the way, including dropping the third game to the Bears, Iowa State maintained its composure and bounced back in the fourth and final game. The Cyclones upped their record to 8-5 and made an early name for themselves in the conference with a 2-1 mark.

“It took us a little while to get going, but we figured out a way to win,” Johnson said. “Our passing was definitely not great to start with, but eventually we got in the rhythm.”

Lorenzen, who pounded a season-high 19 kills in the match, said the team used its newfound perseverance to muscle through.

“We weren’t always clicking, but we fought through it,” she said. “We put together a win, and in the past it was a situation where we would have folded.”

Senior Amanda Craig had a remarkable night with 44 assists, 12 digs and seven kills. Katie Jessen chipped in her own double-double with 13 kills and 11 digs, while Churm and Laura Cady controlled the defense with a combined 32 digs.

“Every single match is vital, no matter who we play, and every win will make a big difference,” Johnson said.

“Every match is the same, and we have a shot to win every time. We just have to execute a good game plan.”