After a dominant sweep against Baylor on Sunday, Iowa State finished the first-half of the Big 12 schedule with a 6-2 conference record, slotting them in third place.

ISU coach Christy Johnson-Lynch has seen some positives and negatives so far this year — and one prevalent trait she’s noticed in her team is actually a mixture of both.

“We have a talented roster where one person can lead the team one night and someone else can lead the next night, but we haven’t had everyone clicking at the same time,” Johnson-Lynch said.

During their six Big 12 wins, the Cyclones had at least three players tally seven or more kills. Fewer than three women have produced those numbers in each of Iowa State’s two losses. 

Another area of concern for the Cyclones as they enter the second-half of their conference schedule is blocking. Iowa State is eighth in the Big 12 in blocks, averaging 1.96 blocks per set. But other than that, Johnson-Lynch cannot ask for much more out of her team.

“I am excited at where we are at right now in the Big 12,” Johnson-Lynch said.

Schaben’s dominance

One of the bright spots for the Cyclones this year has been freshman outside hitter Jess Schaben.

So far during her short career as a Cyclone, Schaben has claimed four Big 12 Rookie-of-the-Week honors and leads the team in kills with 218.

“She has been very consistent on offense early on for us this season,” Johnson-Lynch said.

In her first eight conference contests, Schaben has recorded 10 or more kills in five matches. She also ranks fifth in the Big 12 in kills per set at 3.25.

Although Schaben has been one of the more consistent players for the Cyclones this year, Johnson-Lynch and the rest of her staff will be seeking more out of Schaben as a blocker, defender and a passer.

“She is very eager to do everything to help out this team,” Johnson-Lynch said. “Sometimes, I have to tell her to slow down a bit.”

A second chance at Kansas

Johnson-Lynch is looking forward to the second half of the Big 12 schedule. To kick it off, Iowa State will take on No. 8 Kansas.

Last time out against the Jayhawks in Lawrence, Kansas the Cyclones were overpowered. Iowa State lost in three sets and was held to a .230 hitting percentage.

Not only were the Cyclones held to a low hitting percentage, but they had seven serving, one blocking and five returning errors against the Jayhawks.

“We will have to be great if we want a chance to beat Kansas,” Johnson-Lynch said.

Two of the areas in which Johnson-Lynch stressed improvement from the first Kansas game are serving and passing.

It’s not just about limiting errors, either. Iowa State also allowed five serving aces last time out against Kansas.

The Cyclones will seek redemption when the Jayhawks travel to Hilton Coliseum on Oct. 28 at 6 p.m.

If Iowa State pulls off the upset, its record against top ten opponents will rise to 1-3. The Cyclones have lost to top ten teams Nebraska, Texas and Kansas so far this season.