Nothing creates a wave of momentum like an upset, and the ISU volleyball team will attempt to ride that wave into a challenging weekend tournament.

Iowa State accomplished an outstanding feat Wednesday night in Cedar Falls when it broke down the Panthers in a 3-0 sweep, the first Cyclone win against the intra-state rival in 11 matches. The Panthers had been fresh off of an upset of their own, a five-game win over No. 22 Colorado State.

Now Iowa State must use the confidence at the Results Advertising Missouri State Classic in Springfield, Mo., where it will face three teams ready to end its celebration.

Utah, Missouri State and Arkansas provide stiff competition for the Cyclones squad, which improved their record to 6-1 after the win against UNI.

Coach Christy Johnson said the team knows this tournament will be a test of its consistency, and to prove that Northern Iowa wasn’t just a one-stop victory.

“All three teams have very good programs, and they are all traditionally very strong,” she said. “They are all Northern Iowa-type teams, physical and well-trained.”

Sophomore right-side hitter Meghan Ferrie said the team knows it will have to step up its play this weekend to see victories.

“We are aware that we’re playing some really good teams,” she said. “We have to play as hard as we possibly can.”

Utah (3-2) escaped with a close win at Utah State on Tuesday night in a 3-2 battle after letting a 2-0 lead slip away. Shelly Sommerfeldt was a commanding presence for the Utes with 19 kills and 19 digs, and Airial Salvo is leading the team with 3.24 kills a game. Danielle Leichliter is leading the defensive with 2.85 digs per game.

Missouri State hosts the tournament and the Cyclones after a tough road trip to Florida, where the team took on two ranked teams to disappointing results. The Bears (2-4) nearly toppled No. 15 UC-Santa Barbara before succumbing 3-2, but were defeated swiftly in a 3-0 match by No. 8 Florida.

The Bears have the advantage against Iowa State, leading the series 10-4, with the Cyclones capturing the past two victories, the last of which was held in 1994.

“We need to play against these teams like we did against Northern Iowa,” Johnson said. “That win really helped convince the players that they really are a good team, and now we need to prove it even more.”

Utah took a cue from Arkansas, who also defeated Utah State in a 3-2 match last weekend at the C&C Services Invitational. The Lady Razorbacks were on the verge of an upset of Kansas State, who has been receiving top-25 poll votes, until the Wildcats pulled away for the five-game win.

Arkansas, who carries a 4-1 record, relies on strong net play from Bulgaria native Denitza Koleva, who is averaging 3.95 kills per game. She received all-tournament accolades, as did teammate Jessica Dorrell, who hit .404 in the tournament.

Ferrie said the team is full of high hopes, and the feeling has been a long time coming for the squad.

“We would like to carry on the energy we have right now to this weekend,” she said. “Our morale is high, and it’s been a long time since we’ve had a win like that.”

Iowa State begins play 4 p.m. Friday against Utah. Games against Missouri State and Arkansas are scheduled for noon and 5 p.m., respectively, on Saturday.

“We need to play against these teams like we did against Northern Iowa,” Johnson said. “That win really helped convince the players that they really are a good team, and now we need to prove it even more.”

Utah took a cue from Arkansas, who also defeated Utah State in a 3-2 match last weekend at the C & C Services Invitational.

The Lady Razorbacks were on the verge of an upset of Kansas State, which has been receiving top-25 poll votes, until the Wildcats pulled away for the five-game win.

Arkansas, which carries a 4-1 record, relies on strong net play from Bulgaria native Denitza Koleva, who is averaging 3.95 kills per game.

She received all-tournament accolades, as did teammate Jessica Dorrell, who hit .404 in the tournament.

Ferrie said the team is full of high hopes, and the feeling has been a long time coming for the squad.

“We would like to carry on the energy we have right now to this weekend,” she said. “Our morale is high, and it’s been a long time since we’ve had a win like that.”

Iowa State begins play at 4 p.m. Friday against Utah. Games against Missouri State and Arkansas are scheduled for Saturday at noon and 5 p.m., respectively.