If you live in Iowa, it’s nearly impossible to not know about the Cy-Hawk series.

Before all the football action, the series continues on Friday with Iowa State’s volleyball team taking on Iowa in Iowa City. On Saturday, the Cyclones will face Northern Illinois.

“[Iowa is] really athletic,” said coach Christy Johnson-Lynch. “This will be the most talented Iowa team we’ve seen since I’ve been here.”

Fresh off of narrowly defeating Pittsburgh last weekend, the Cyclones enter the Iowa Invitational 5-0.

Iowa State’s undefeated record has earned the No. 22 spot in the American Volleyball Coaches Association’s rankings.

The Hawkeyes have also had a strong start to the season, entering the weekend at 6-1. Iowa’s lone loss came against Stanford. The Cardinals were ranked No. 2 at the time.

In a press conference, Johnson-Lynch pointed out the Hawkeyes’ skilled hitters, talented transfers and their freshman setter Brie Orr.

Orr, the only setter on Iowa’s roster, has been a key contributor for the Hawkeyes.

In Orr’s first seven collegiate matches, the Minnesota native has compiled 274 assists. The next closest on the roster is senior defensive specialist Annika Olsen with 21 assists.

Outside of Stanford, Iowa hasn’t played a major-conference school. The Hawkeyes and Cyclones share a common opponent, both sweeping Omaha.

Iowa native and junior Cyclone outside hitter Jess Schaben understands what the Cy-Hawk series means to the Hawkeyes, the Cyclones and the entire state of Iowa.

“There’s a lot of excitement,” said junior outside hitter Jess Schaben. “With it being the rivalry [of Iowa], it’s fun. I think everyone in the state of Iowa gets into it.”

Obviously, the Cy-Hawk is the most hyped match of the weekend, but Iowa State can’t overlook its Saturday matchup.

After a 25-6 record in 2016, the Huskies have struggled to fill the shoes of their graduated seniors from last season. Northern Illinois is still scrambling for its first win, beginning 2017 with an 0-8 record.

Northern Illinois is still a young team that could find its groove this weekend. The Huskies roster consists of twice as many freshmen as seniors.

The Cyclones’ weekend matches against one of their biggest rivals and a struggling Northern Illinois team has the potential to propel Iowa State’s confidence further.

Since the Cy-Hawk series has featured volleyball, the volleyball matches have been lopsided.

Last season, the Cyclones swept the Hawkeyes in three sets. Schaben dominated the match, finishing with 17 kills on a .324 hitting percentage.

Iowa State volleyball has a 10-1 record in the Cy-Hawk series, and the Cyclones are ready to claim the trophy they’ve grown accustomed to winning.

“[The Cy-Hawk match is] just more competitive,” said redshirt senior blocker Samara West. “Not really too intense, just more competitive because both teams want to win and get that Cy-Hawk trophy that we always get.”