The scoreboard read 9-3 in TCU’s favor in the second set Saturday at Hilton Coliseum, but Caitlin Nolan wasn’t concerned. She’d been in this spot before.

In the last four wins for Iowa State, the team has had to form a comeback in at least one set in the match. This regular routine is making it easier for the Cyclones to battle back in any given situation and climb up in the Big 12 standings.

“We always fight until it’s the end of the match,” said sophomore Monique Harris. “We won’t always be on top because the Big 12 conference is one of the toughest conferences in the country.”

Iowa State went on a 7-1 run to tie up the set against TCU and later won the second set, 25-22. The Cyclones went on to win the match in four sets.

All four of Iowa State’s comebacks have come against Big 12 opponents.

On Sept. 26, Iowa State played Texas Tech at home and battled back in the second set. Texas Tech tore off an 8-0 run to make it a 20-15 Red-Raider lead. Iowa State later came back to win the set 28-26 and sweep in the Big 12 opener.

Four days later on Sept. 30, Oklahoma went on a 7-0 run in the second set and made it a 20-16 lead against Iowa State. The Cyclones battled back to win the set, 25-23, and defeated Oklahoma in four sets.

The last comeback came almost a week ago, when Iowa State took on Kansas State at home. In the first set, the Cyclones were up 19-14, and the Wildcats came back to make it 21-20. Iowa State continued to fight and later won the set 25-22, sweeping Kansas State in three sets.

“I do like to see the team’s resilience and composure during these types of sets,” said ISU volleyball coach Christy Johnson-Lynch. “When they’re down and they come back, it just boosts their confidence for more matches to come.”

Iowa State had its confidence boosted after defeating TCU as the Cyclones now find themselves in third place in the Big 12 conference behind Texas and Kansas. It’s a lower position than Iowa State wants, but it’s a step in the right direction.

“The third place isn’t quite as important as where we are across the nation for the NCAA tournament,” Johnson-Lynch said. “These types of match wins are huge for getting into the tournament and for seeding within the tournament.”

Iowa State is looking at the matchup ahead against West Virginia on Oct. 21 in the context of the larger, NCAA-tournament picture. 

Iowa State is always looking for an opportunity to win a Big 12 championship, but also to earn entry into the NCAA tournament for a chance to win a national championship for the city of Ames.

“It feels really good, but obviously our goal is to win a Big 12 championship,” Nolan said. “I don’t think you can be satisfied with third, but I think it’s nice to know we’re in the top half right now.”