6-2

The 6-2 system — utilized at the end of the 2014 season into the beginning of this 2015 season — calls for six attackers, or hitters, and two setters. However, even though the system calls for two setters, only one setter is utilized at a time.

The first setter, in Iowa State’s case sophomore Monique Harris, starts the set in the back row and plays through three rotations. Before the first setter rotates into the front row, however, she is subbed out for an attacker, and the second setter is subbed in for the attacker who was about to rotate into the back row.

Thus, the setting load is divided in half between Harris and junior Suzanne Horner, with the setter only setting from the back row.

5-1

The 5-1 system — used at the beginning of the 2014 season — calls for one setter and five attackers at all times. In terms of description, the 5-1 formation is simpler.

Unlike the 6-2, one setter in the 5-1 — in 2014, Horner — sets for the entire game, rotating around without being substituted. In this formation, not only does the setter work from the back row but the front row as well.