AMES — In a program rich with talent and tradition, senior outside hitter Maya Duckworth joined elite company. Before Iowa State’s matchup against No. 18 Baylor, Duckworth was honored for becoming just the 12th Cyclone in program history to record 1,000 career kills, a milestone she reached on Oct. 25 on the road against Colorado. 

“When I came into this season, I was told that I was pretty close and honestly, it was a little bit of a weight on my shoulders,” Duckworth said. “It’s just a big number to reach, and I didn’t know I was that close. Being able to reach it means a lot. It goes to show how hard I’ve worked throughout my four years here. I’ve really given this program my all.”

Duckworth’s recognition came before a packed Hilton Coliseum crowd, where the Cyclones extended their undefeated home record to 7-0 with a three-set sweep over Baylor (25-23, 25-23, 25-21). 

At the time, the win improved Iowa State’s record to 17-4 overall and 7-3 in the Big 12, keeping the Cyclones in third place behind Colorado and Arizona State.

Iowa State continues to sit behind Colorado (10-1) and Arizona State (9-1), but now with a current Big 12 record of 8-3 after a 3-2 upset win over the No. 6 Sun Devils, giving the Cyclones an 18-3 overall record.

Even though Duckworth’s stat line against Baylor was modest, five kills, one ace and one dig, her presence was undeniable. The senior continues to be the emotional anchor for a roster that balances veteran leadership with rising young talent. 

Head Coach Christy Johnson-Lynch said Duckworth’s reliability and leadership have made her the heart of the program. 

“She’s been such an important part of our program for so long,” Johnson-Lynch said. “She’s reliable, consistent and selfless. From the moment she came in, you could tell she was going to be a great player.” 

Over her four-year career, Duckworth has done it all. She’s played in 407 sets and 112 matches, collecting 1,087 kills, 75 aces, 624 digs, 150 block assists and 177 triple blocks. This season alone, she’s tallied 181 kills and 81 digs across 22 matches.

Her development, both as a player and a leader, has left a lasting mark.

“Her leadership is outstanding,” Johnson-Lynch said. “She’s one of the best leaders I’ve ever had the pleasure of coaching. She calms everyone down and takes care of the people around her. It’s not just about her play; it’s about what she does with everyone else.”

For freshman middle blocker/right side Reagan Hanfelt, Duckworth’s impact goes beyond the stat sheet. 

“I grew up watching Maya [Duckworth],” Hanfelt said. “Her IQ for the game is one of the best I’ve ever seen. She knows what to do with the ball and where to put it. She’s amazing to watch and an even better teammate.”

Hanfelt said Duckworth’s milestone meant as much to the team as it did to the senior herself. 

“She’s the biggest leader on the team,” Hanfelt said. “Even today, when we were talking about her 1,000 kills, she was hiding when she was on camera. She’s so humble. She’s a role model to every single person here.”

Duckworth’s humility traces back to her roots in Hurst, Texas, where she starred at Birdville High School, recording 2,000 kills and 1,700 digs before heading to Ames. She arrived at Iowa State as a competitor, but her growth has been defined by loyalty and perseverance.

“Being with this program has shown me that loyalty is huge,” Duckworth said. “The competitiveness here means a lot to me because I’m a competitive person. That’s something I’ll carry with me.”

Known for her energy and compassion, Duckworth has earned a reputation as the “mom” of the team. 

“She’s there for everybody all the time,” Hanfelt said. “She’s the first one on the court and the first one to help you if something’s wrong. She’s a mom to us.”

For Johnson-Lynch, Duckworth’s presence extends well beyond the court. 

“There are nights when if she’s not out there, I feel like we’re missing something,” Johnson-Lynch said. “She’s the glue. She takes care of other people before herself. That’s rare.”

Johnson-Lynch believes Duckworth embodies everything Iowa State volleyball strives to be. 

“Her character epitomizes what we’re about: hard work, delayed gratification, being a great teammate and being a good person,” Johnson-Lynch said. “If you wanted a picture in the dictionary of what our program stands for, it’d be Maya [Duckworth].” 

Duckworth smiled when asked how she hopes fans will remember her.

“I’ve been told I’ll be remembered as the short outside who can jump really high,” Duckworth said. “So I’ll stick with that.”

That description fits her perfectly, undersized but unshakable, constantly rising to meet the moment. Her journey from Texas standout to Iowa State leader is one marked by persistence, humility and a relentless work ethic. Few reach 1,000 kills, but even fewer manage to shape the program’s identity while doing it.

As the Cyclones chase a postseason berth, Duckworth’s leadership and example continue to guide the way.

“I wish she had a couple more years,” Johnson-Lynch said.

“I love Maya [Duckworth],” Hanfelt said.