The Bluejay Invitational at Creighton on Saturday signifies more than a start to the season for the ISU women’s volleyball team. It signals the start of a new era.

Coach Christy Johnson, in her inaugural season at the helm of the Cyclones, said she’s eager to get the season under way.

“We still have some things to figure out and I don’t know if we’ll figure them all out this weekend, but it will be great to get out and actually play some matches,” she said.

The Cyclones, who were 8-21 last season, head to Omaha with a 3-1 record against Creighton and are 1-3 against Northern Colorado. The Bears carried a 25-9 record last season, while the Jays were 18-11.

“Traditionally, Northern Colorado is a very strong program,” Johnson said. “When we saw them in the spring they were a pretty physical team, pretty tall … they’re very well coached, they’re going to be solid.”

Johnson also said Creighton brings a different style of play, but not less difficult.

“Creighton is scrappy; they play good defense,” she said.

“Probably not as tall as Northern Colorado, not as physical, but they have a coach who’s been there a couple of years and is really doing some good things there.”

Despite the rockiness of seasons past, junior libero Katie Churm said this year has a different feel — one that brings more confidence to the entire group.

“I feel like, from last year, we gel so much more then we have in the past,” Churm said.

“Creighton will be a good opportunity for us to come out and be successful.”

Churm, who started most of last season until an injury, ranked fifth in the Big 12 with 3.89 digs per game in conference play. Her .36 service aces per game also ranked fifth in the conference.

She attributed the team’s newfound cohesiveness to newcomers on the team — she didn’t mean the freshmen, though.

“The coaches, flat out. I think it’s the coaching,” Churm said. “I think we’ve always had a decent amount of talent, and I think now the coaches are able to bring it out of us.”

Senior setter Amanda Craig said the team is excited to finally get the season underway.

“We think these are two teams that we can take,” she said. “It’s going to be our first tournament, so we’re just really excited to get out on the court.”

Craig played in 103 of 104 games last season, tallying 1,130 assists.

Her average of 10.97 assists per game was ninth in the Big 12.

“We’ve gone through two-a-days, and we’ve gone through a full week with no games, so we’re anxious to get out on the court,” Craig said.

“I think it will all just fall right into place the second we step out on the court.”

The first serve is scheduled for Saturday at noon against Northern Colorado, followed by a 7 p.m. start against Creighton.