I’ve been writing mostly about our football program in my column, and felt that it was time to divert some attention to another team on campus, that strangely enough, has many similarities to our football team. Namely a losing season with close, frustrating losses.

What am I talking about, you might ask?

The Iowa State volleyball team.

Now I can see that you are already losing interest. It’s a women’s sport, so you think that there is no blood or guts, no hard hits.

Nothing at all that could compare to the awesome violence of a football clash. But for those of you who believe this, you are sadly mistaken.

What those women do on the court looks rather painful. They are constantly diving onto the hardwood floor to keep the ball in play. Sometimes they fly over the press benches or crash into the chairs on the courtside to save the ball. Almost as exciting as some of those football replays.

And at times the games can get rather intense. For example, when the team went to Baylor in September, the match went down to the wire.

It was the fifth game of the match, the Cyclones took games one and two, Baylor took the next two, and Baylor edged out the Cyclones,17-15.

Since the birth of the Big 12, the volleyball team has faced some pretty stiff competition. Just how stiff you ask? Here is some food for thought.

Last year, the team placed second in the Big Eight. And they were ranked 26th nationally.

Well, the Cyclones aren’t ranked this year, but six of their opponents are, each ranked in the top 25 nationally.

The tough season is another similarity to the football team — the football schedule was rated fourth toughest in the country at the beginning of the season.

What am I trying to say here? That everyone needs to support the team.

Volleyball is a very mental sport, the players say. And just like football, a big home crowd makes a difference.

Sure, no one paints their faces or gets tanked, but there are a few people in the crowd who can get out of control.

The season is coming to a close, and there are only three games left this season, the last two being on Nov. 29 and 30 against Kansas and Kansas State.

Now I know that most of you will be at home, enjoying your Thanksgiving break, so you will probably miss the final games of the season. So get on out there tonight, and cheer on the team, and give a strong showing for the departing seniors.

The Cyclones take on Missouri tonight. It’s at 7:30 and lasts only a few hours, leaving plenty of time for your studies. And it’s only a few dollars to get you in the door.

And on a closing note, I hope everyone has a safe and happy turkey day, even for those of you who believe that it is an inhumane, sadistic holiday.

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Rory Flaherty is a junior in construction engineering from LeMars.