Returning from over a week off from play, the Iowa State volleyball team will travel to Fort Worth, Texas, to face off against TCU.

Libero Izzy Enna had a conflicted smile come across her face when asked if another week long gap in play is frustrating to her, considering the Cyclones recently returned from a long period without any games. When Iowa State tips off against TCU on Saturday, it will have been seven days since Iowa State last played, but Enna thinks it might not be the worst thing for the team.

“Yes and no because you want to keep playing and continue to get better but it is nice again to have a little break for our bodies, because we go hard every day so I think it will be good to refresh,” Enna said.

Iowa State already faced off against TCU on Oct 13, beating the Horned Frogs in a 3-0 (25-15, 25-21, 25-16) sweep in Hilton Coliseum.

Grace Lazard made note that Iowa State knew that TCU would have lots of energy and be very fast-paced, which is why playing aggressive up front led to an Iowa State victory.

“We blocked and attacked well all game but that being said, we knew they would be great too, so we had to keep them (TCU) under control in order to win,” Lazard said.

Iowa State racked up 10 more kills than TCU and 13 blocks over the three sets, compared to no blocks for TCU.

Lazard credited the lack of blocks for TCU to the strategy of Iowa State. Lazard believed the Cyclones focused on hitting high and deep as much as they could and not fire straight into TCU’s hands.

“Energy,” was the word used most often by Enna after the most recent victory against Kansas State on Oct. 26.

Enna took notice that Iowa State played with “real, passionate energy” and started to have positive talk take place in the huddles during the victory against Kansas State.

Supporting one another and holding their heads high was the spark for the team last match according to Enna. Playing with energy led to aggressive kills and effort from the whole team.

“We always tell her ourselves to stay in it to win it and come in with confidence during our matches which definitely helps,” Enna said.

Iowa State will have to keep the energy high against TCU on Saturday. The game will start at 11 a.m.