The ISU volleyball team will travel more than 1,000 miles to Charlottesville, Va., to play three young, unfamiliar teams in the Fairfield Inn and Suites Cavalier Classic.

Recovering from injuries, Iowa State can build on a 2-1 start to the season from last weekend’s Cyclone Invitational.

“The competition this weekend should be good,” said ISU volleyball coach Christy Johnson-Lynch. “I haven’t been able to scout the teams yet, but we’re excited to travel over there and play some new teams.”

The new opponent group consists of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth and Appalachian State. The current ISU players have a combined zero games of experience against any of them.

Iowa State, ranked No. 17 in the nation, has high expectations, but Johnson-Lynch is hesitant.

She said this week has been a step in the right direction, but she knows these three schools are up-and-coming and built with talented players. Johnson-Lynch also knows her own players are still transitioning with different lineups and players.

“I think it will be similar to this past weekend regarding competition level,” Johnson-Lynch said. “We’re going to have to go out there and play hard to get the win.”

Johnson-Lynch and junior setter Suzanne Horner agreed serving and defense in the Cyclone Invitational were strong and effective throughout the three matches.

Horner said she hopes the team continues to focus and build on those two aspects for the weekend.

Horner was impressed by the chemistry of the team and hopes it can lead to better camaraderie in the future. 

“Most of the teams we played this past weekend, their hitting percentages weren’t that great,” Horner said. “That means we’re doing something good on our end defensively, but there’s always room for improvement.”

One opportunity for improvement involves Iowa State getting out to quicker starts and stemming its opponents’ runs.

“The runs need to be done quicker, two points, and they’re done,” said freshman right-side hitter Hannah Bailey. 

The Cyclones struggle areas have been enhanced as two veteran players battle injuries.

Sophomore middle blocker Alexis Conaway has been tending to an ankle injury but practiced with no restrictions this week alongside the other starters.

Junior outside hitter Ciara Capezio suffered a sprained ankle in Friday’s match against Dayton and didn’t play the rest of the weekend. Capezio was limited in practice Monday, but she participated fully in practice Tuesday and Wednesday.

When it comes to game time, Johnson-Lynch will make the final call if they are ready to go. 

As for the upcoming tournament in Virginia, Johnson-Lynch agreed with the players that serving and defense were strong in the Cyclone Invitational, but the team needs to continue progress with its hitting and blocking. 

“Competing hard and working hard is what the coaches preach to us for every match,” Horner said. “The goal is to always win.”

Iowa State will kick off the weekend at 3 p.m. Friday against Appalachian State. The Cyclones will play two games Saturday starting at 11 a.m. against VCU and finishing off at 6 p.m. against Virginia.