Iowa State volleyball coach Christy Johnson-Lynch saw her team’s offense improve. But altogether, the Cyclones played just OK last week.

The cardinal and gold dominated the Kansas State Wildcats in a three-set match thanks to a .240 hitting percentage. Then against the Texas Longhorns, Iowa State’s offense struggled in a 0-3 loss when it only recorded a mere .121 hitting percentage.

Now, the Cyclones are ready to take on the West Virginia Mountaineers at 6:30 p.m. this Wednesday night at Hilton Coliseum.

“From last year, I know they have a pretty good outside [hitter],” said libero Hali Hillegas.

That pretty good outside hitter is sophomore Payton Caffrey.

ICYMI: Sophomore OH Payton Caffrey was named to the 2017 All-Big 12 Preseason Team. pic.twitter.com/kPE6VyjlIq

— WVU Volleyball (@WVUVolleyball) August 3, 2017

This year, Caffrey has been the Mountaineers go-to player. She is averaging 3.5 kills per set for West Virginia, which is in the top-10 in the Big 12.

“You have to be ready for [Caffrey] to get the ball a lot,” Johnson-Lynch said. “She has a lot of different shots. Just when you think you are lined up perfectly on her, she comes out with another attack, a different shot. She has a great arm.”

Iowa State is focused on neutralizing Caffrey. However, the Cyclones do know it will be hard to do so. But it is not all that improbable.

For the cardinal and gold to decrease Caffrey’s impact during Wednesday’s match, they will need to know where she is on the court the entire time. Plus, Iowa State will rely on two blockers hoping to take her talent’s out of the contest.

Although the Cyclones’ block will be the biggest game plan to halt Caffrey’s impact, they also believe they can offset her play with a strong serving game. Which is something Iowa State has struggled with this year.

On the season, Iowa State has recorded 110 service errors. Its opponents have only tallied 112. However, the Cyclones’ defense has been one of the best this year coming in at No. 20 in opponent hitting percentage (.160) and No. 11 in blocks per set (2.96).

While Iowa State is honed in on stopping Caffrey, it is also looking for more production from its offense. Especially out of its outside hitters.

“We still need a little bit more out of our [outside] hitters,” Johnson-Lynch said.

So far this season, the Cyclones outside hitting production has come from a variety of players. There is Samara West, Alexis Conaway, Jess Schaben and the list can go on and on. But they need more consistent production out of all of them.

There are a lot of ways to get Iowa State’s outside hitters to boost their production, making the right set, being more creative, improving their range and vision.

Although that sounds easy, it’s not. However, the bottom line is the Cyclones need more production out of their outside hitters.

Despite having two distinct goals heading into this match, Iowa State has one underlying goal they want to accomplish this Wednesday that can benefit them for the rest of the season: getting back into a groove.

“I think it will be a good match,” Hillegas said. “I think it will be one that we can come back from playing against Texas and getting back into the groove again. Just finding ourselves. They are a good team too but just finding a groove and what ways work for us.”