When Alexis Conaway first arrived at Iowa State, senior year seemed so far away.

Now, here she is. Preparing for her senior season.

“It’s definitely strange,” Conaway said. “So, to be here and know that it is my last preseason, my last scrimmage. All the lasts are kind of weird.”

The weird feeling aside, Conaway is excited for her final year in Ames.

Probably the best word to describe Conaway’s play in the Cardinal and Gold is efficient.

During this year’s scrimmage against the Drake Bulldogs, Conaway was perfect on her first three hits. She would finish the match with a .500 hitting percentage. If that performance, along with her first three seasons are any indications, Conaway could become the most efficient player in Iowa State volleyball history.

BREAKING: Alexis Conaway is still unbelievably efficient. https://t.co/Yj8rdJOryK

— Ben Visser (@BenVisser43) August 12, 2017

Heading into her senior season, Conaway owns three of the top seven single season hitting percentages in program history.

In 2014, the 6-foot, Orange City native became the first freshman to ever hit over .300 in a season at .321. As a sophomore in 2015, Conaway tallied the second best hitting percentage in program history with .351. Then last season, she led the team with a .323 percentage.

Overall, Conaway is entering her final season with a .331 hitting percentage. If her career ended today, Conaway would be Iowa State’s’ career leader in hitting percentage and would be .013 percent ahead of the Jen Malcom.

Head coach Christy Johnson-Lynch credits Conaway’s efficiency to her knowing her type of play.

“(Conaway) knows who she is, meaning she knows how she can score,” Johnson-Lynch said. “She is going to score much differently then how Grace (Lazard) will score. Alexis knows how to move the ball around. So, she will see an open spot on the court and she will tip the ball there. She just knows where to put the ball, how keep it in play when she needs to, when to go for it.”

But Conaway credits her success to her teammates and coaches.

“A huge reason for that is the setters,” Conaway said. “I could not hit if we did not have great setters. Monique (Harris) is awesome and Piper (Mauck) is doing a great job. The coaches have helped me so much as a freshman, I switched positions. There is no way that I would have been able to do as well as I am able to without them patiently guiding me through. The team has definitely helped with that.”

During her final year at Iowa State, Conaway expects to be more of an explosive player than in year’s past because of style changes the Cyclones have made.

This season, Iowa State will utilize the swing block technique more often, meaning that the Cyclones will thrust their arms back before they jump, giving them more momentum on the way up.

“The timing is harder, but when you get it, I think that will make a huge difference for our team,” Conaway said. “We are more bigger and physical as blockers this year.”

Conaway expects the swing block will allow her to be more of a presence blocking wise, which is one of her goals this season.

Along with being a better blocker, Conaway just wants to be a consistent player for the Cyclones. Someone who can encourage everyone and keep them focused and on path when things get shaky.

While Conaway has set personal goals for herself, her main goal is the team’s benchmark: making the NCAA Tournament. However, she wants to get further than she did her first three years.

During her Iowa State career, the furthest Conaway has reached in the NCAA Tournament is the second round. Conaway expects to go much further in the tournament this season.

“We definitely have the talent,” Conaway said. “So now it is keeping the focus in practice. Keeping that mindset. Just being competitive. No matter who we are playing, it is going to be a challenge. Any team can win on any night.”

How far the Cyclones will make it in the tournament, if they make it, is still unknown. However, they know that Conaway should be as efficient as ever.