After a loss to Kansas State, the Cyclones will look to get back to their winning ways in a back-to-back meeting with a new Big 12 member in BYU.
Kansas State swept the Cyclones, which marked only the second time this season they were swept. Iowa State does not get a break with its next opponent.
BYU is ranked No. 9 in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association poll after starting the season 16-3 and being 5-2 in conference play. BYU’s only conference losses have come from defending national champions in Texas. Outside those two losses, the Cougars have dominated, only dropping two sets in their other five conference matches.
It is safe to say that BYU might be the toughest team the Cyclones have faced so far, and Iowa State head coach Christy Johnson-Lynch is well aware of what lies ahead.
“They’re obviously really, really good, and it is a really tough environment,” Johnson-Lynch said. “We’re gonna have to try to quiet that crowd.”
Quieting the crowd is certainly something that the Cyclones will have to do if they want to pull off an upset or two. The Cougars have been dominant at home, going 8-0 on the season including sweeps over No. 20 Houston and No. 18 Baylor.
Johnson-Lynch is emphasizing mental toughness as the Cyclones prepare for their toughest tests of the season so far.
“I’m looking for resilience, especially on the road in a tough gym,” Johnson-Lynch said. “We’re in the middle of the season where it can become a grind, so we’re just looking to get through that grind and show some improvement.”
If the Cyclones want to escape Provo, Utah, with a victory, they will also have to break through one of the Big 12’s toughest defenses.
BYU leads the conference in opponent hitting percentage, holding opponents to just .160 through the first month of Big 12 Play.
The Cyclone offense has been strong this season, so if any team can give the BYU defense some trouble it might just be them.
The series against BYU starts Thursday and Friday, with both matches beginning at 8 p.m. Both matches can be streamed live on ESPN+.
