Iowa State looks to fix some issues as they prepare for Kansas

Garrett Kroeger
September 26, 2017

The No. 18 Iowa State volleyball team had a good Big 12 opener against the Oklahoma Sooners. Now, the Cyclones face a much fiercer opponent on the road in the No. 11 Kansas Jayhawks.

Heading into the matchup against Kansas, Iowa State is still trying to figure itself out. Coach Christy Johnson-Lynch doesn’t think the Cyclones have to find their identity, but they still need to figure out some small issues.

“Offensively, we just haven’t hit our stride yet,” Johnson-Lynch said. “There’s a lot to be left there. It’s a big focus for us for the next couple weeks. Getting a little bit more offensive production from our players. We are still settling on some things and evaluating things.”

Through 11 games, Iowa State is hitting .231. Johnson-Lynch believes that number needs to be at least .250 or .260 if the Cyclones want to keep up their success in Big 12 play.

Last year when Iowa State traveled to Kansas, the Cyclones went into five sets against the Jayhawks. However, the cardinal and gold lost the match. But to emphasize how disappointing of a loss that was, Kansas was without its star player, All-American right hitter Kelsie Payne.

Payne is one of the focal points Iowa State will try to neutralize Wednesday night. On the year, Payne is one of the nation’s best hitters. She has 4.39 kills per set rate and a .349 hitting percentage this season.

“They rely a lot on Payne,” Johnson-Lynch said. “She just hits very high. So, somehow, you have to negate that.”

On the flip side, Iowa State has been one of the better defensive teams this year.

The Cyclones are sixth in the nation in blocks per set at 3.18 and seventh in the country at opponent hitting percentage at .139.

“I’m thrilled with our blocking,” Johnson-Lynch said. “Just really happy with how we are blocking and defending teams.”

While Iowa State will try to figure out how to stop Payne, they will try to do so in a hostile environment.

Hilton Coliseum is one of the bigger volleyball environments in the Big 12. Now, Kansas’ Horejsi Family Athletics Center, is a lot smaller than Hilton. In fact, it is so small that the opposing players feel like the fans are right on top of them.

“(Kansas) packs it full,” said libero Hali Hillegas. “It is a rowdy environment. I think just us being able to focus and play our game will be huge. If we can do that, we have a really good chance to beat them.”

Hillegas also believes if Iowa State can serve well and get Kansas out of their system, the Cyclones’ chances to pull off the upset will increase tremendously.

Iowa State still has some things to figure out. However, its upcoming game against Kansas will be a good telling point to see where the Cyclones will be in the Big 12 as the season progresses.

“I think it can be [a telling point],” Hillegas said. “To show what we have been working on and that our 10-1 record isn’t just luck. To come in to beat Kansas. Show them it’s not just their show. Showing we can beat them.”