The Iowa State volleyball team plays its first home conference game Friday night against Nebraska, and its second against Colorado on Saturday night.

“It’s good to be home,” said Jackie Nunez, head volleyball coach, “We’ve been on the road for over three weeks.”

“[Nebraska] is a good team,” said Nunez. “We’ve looked forward to them all week long.”

Nunez said the games against Nebraska always draw a big crowd, citing last year’s attendance at over 4,500.

The Cyclones are back from four matches on the road, their last against the undefeated Texas Tech last weekend, resulting in a 7-15, 9-15, 4-15 loss.

Texas Tech had a .263 hitting percentage, while ISU had a .073 hitting percentage.

The Cyclones are 4-10 overall, and 0-2 in the Big 12.

“What has hurt us a lot this year is we’ve made too many errors,” said Nunez. “[Texas Tech] played very strong, very well. They controlled the whole match, and we were unable to get any rhythm going for that match.”

“We just had a little bit of a tough time, and [Texas Tech] took advantage of it,” said Rachelle Van Scoyoc, a senior middle blocker.

In the Texas Tech game, ISU’s Sonya Van Helden tallied a team high 12 kills, and had the only service ace. Outside hitter Staci Smith posted nine kills, and right side hitter Colleen Henican had eight kills.

Freshman middle blocker Jodi DeVries had a team high four blocks.

“[DeVries] is starting every match, and gaining great experience for her future,” said Nunez, who wanted to redshirt DeVries, but didn’t after Lydsay Straka tore her ACL.

Nunez said that Straka has been redshirted instead due to the injury.

“Nebraska will be a good opportunity to prove that we are a good team and can play good teams,” said DeVries.

“This year we have a great opportunity. Nebraska is not number one anymore, and Colorado isn’t ranked,” Van Scoyoc said. “We have learned from the past and will take it into these games, and take care of business.”

Both matches against Nebraska and Colorado will be at the Hilton Coliseum, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Nebraska has a 10-2 overall record, and is 2-0 in the Big 12. Colorado is 6-3, and 1-1 in the conference.

The team will be on the road for a long stretch after this weekend’s action, traveling to Texas Oct. 11 to face Texas and Texas A&M.