The Cyclone volleyball team is set to host Texas Tech and looking to get back on track in Big 12 play in its fifth contest this season.

Iowa State is back in the top 25, coming in at No. 25 in the latest AVCA poll after a 3-1 start in Big 12 play. So far, the Cyclones have two sweeps on the road against West Virginia and split the home back-to-back against No. 18 Baylor.

In 2022, the Cyclones won both matchups against Texas Tech, winning the first matchup in a road sweep and winning the second 3-1.

Heading into the matchup with the Red Raiders, head coach Christy Johnson-Lynch is pleased with her team’s performance so far.

“It was great volleyball; we learned a lot. To split against a really good team [Baylor] is definitely a positive, and we’ll keep learning,” Johnson-Lynch said.

Regarding Texas Tech, Johnson-Lynch said they’ll be in for a very competitive match Friday night.

“They’re always tough to play. I’ve thought that for years,” Johnson-Lynch said. “They play hard and scrappy. It doesn’t matter their record, I feel like they always bring it and they’re so well coached,”

Texas Tech is currently 8-9 on the season and 1-4 in Big 12 play. The Red Raiders split their doubleheader against No. 17 Kansas before dropping two matches to Texas Christian University and a match against the University of Central Florida on Wednesday night.

A player to watch for the Cyclones on Friday night is freshman Nayeli Gonzalez, who has made a name for herself to start her collegiate career.

Gonzalez was last week’s Big 12 rookie of the week after totaling 34 kills at .422 hitting and becoming the first Iowa State freshman since 2015 to have 20 kills in a single match.

“She’s growing and learning every week, and I’m super proud of her,” Johnson-Lynch said.

Gonzalez leads the team in kills with 162 and points-per-set at 4.10. If Gonzalez can put together another strong performance Friday, the Cyclones should see success on the court.

The match is at 6:30 p.m. Friday in Hilton Coliseum and can be streamed on ESPN+.