Conference wins are always a confidence booster, as well as an integral part of any postseason run. There tends to be an intensity present that other matches lack, and that feeling is doubled when teams get together multiple times.

The ISU volleyball team has a chance for a sweep against a conference opponent in this weekend’s matchup against Texas Christian. Iowa State cruised to a four-set victory in the teams’ last matchup in Ames (25-16, 25-22, 17-25, 25-22).

Since that contest, TCU has buckled down defensively, becoming a stifling presence at the net. The Horned Frogs are currently leading the Big 12 in blocks with 223 total blocks and 2.97 blocks per set.

The defensive stats stand in stark contrast to the Cyclones, who are ranked at the bottom of the conference with only 1.90 blocks per set.

“We just want to focus on hitting high,” said outside hitter Jess Schaben. “They’re going to get some blocks, that’s just how the game works, but if we can hit high and find the seams, we can be successful.”

Schaben epitomized this idea in the Cyclones’ first matchup with TCU, leading the team in kills with 16 and accumulating a hitting percentage of .341.

She wasn’t the only one to find ways to score against the TCU defense. Three other Cyclones recorded double figures in kills, exposing the holes in the defense.

Ball movement has also been critical in avoiding the digs of TCU. The Cyclones have taken advantage of slower opponents all season, ranking fourth in the Big 12 in assists.

Their ability to find the open hitter could be the difference against a TCU team that allows the second most assists in the conference.

While the TCU defense is regarded as its calling card, its offense is not something the Cyclones can afford to underestimate. The Horned Frogs are fifth in the conference in hitting percentage with a .246 average, .012 higher than the Cyclones.

The Cyclones have been a top-flight defensive team, leading the Big 12 in digs, thanks to libero Caitlin Nolan.

Nolan was electric in Iowa State’s last match, recording 30 digs. Nolan is coming off her third Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week award of the season and hopes to make a difference again this time around.

“Our frontline has done a great job of making my job easier,” Nolan said. “My mentality has always been try and hit everything that comes near me, and no ball is hit too hard for me to get.”

The Cyclones are trying to secure the sweep and continue to position themselves for the Big 12 postseason. This series-deciding matchup will begin at noon Saturday at the University Recreation Center in Fort Worth, Texas.