The haunting sound of the ball hitting the floor for the final time inside of Huff Hall in Champaign, Ill., at last season’s NCAA Tournament second-round match continues to echo inside the minds of each individual ISU volleyball player. The Cyclones had fallen just one match short of the regional semifinals, which were to take place at Hilton Coliseum.

Despite the painful nature of this memory, the returning players are using it as motivation for this upcoming season—a chip on their shoulder. 

“We are more determined and ready to prove [ourselves] this year,” said sophomore outside hitter Ciara Capezio.

Prior to falling to Colorado in the first round of the 2013 NCAA Tournament, the Cyclones had reached the regional semifinals in five of their previous six seasons—reaching the regional finals in 2008 and 2011. Thus, this opportunity at the Sweet 16 was nothing new for ISU coach Christy Johnson-Lynch and the ISU volleyball team. 

In 2014, the Cyclones managed just four wins in their opening nine conference matches—a disappointing result for Johnson-Lynch and the Cyclones. However, a shift in formation from a 5-1 to a 6-2 granted the team new life for the latter half of the conference schedule, resulting in a 6-1 finish to the regular season. The momentum had sided with the Cyclones entering their second round match against Illinois. 

Yet, momentum was not enough to overcome the Fighting Illini as Iowa State’s regional hopes were quickly dashed.

“We didn’t get back to our regional last year, and it was heartbreaking,” Johnson-Lynch said. “We were thinking about that for the last couple years and not to get back was hard.”

The Cyclones have refused to let their disappointment from last season inhibit their success in the upcoming season, however. Not only does that sense of being short-changed fuel the fire of motivation for ISU volleyball, but also, like last season, the destination for one of the four regional competitions in 2015 serves as an additional incentive for reaching the Sweet 16.

Along with San Diego, Austin, Texas, and Lexington, Ky., the fourth and final regional location is Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines—just a thirty-minute drive down I-35 from Hilton Coliseum.

“It’s another pretty tremendous opportunity to play in a regional close to home,” Johnson-Lynch said. “We’ve got that in the back of our minds, and I think this team has the potential to play in that regional.”

Along with utilizing the enhanced motivation from last season, the Cyclones hope to carry the momentum they accrued in last season’s home stretch into the beginning of this upcoming season, which will commence on Aug. 28 as Iowa State will host the Cyclone Invitational.

Regardless of whether or not the 6-2 system will remain the primary formation in 2015, the Cyclones can still have confidence in their potential for success. They have recognized their abilities and what happens when those abilities are capitalized on, thus the players have acquired a confidence entering this season.

“I guarantee [the momentum will continue],” said sophomore setter Monique Harris. “I’m really excited about this season. We’ve been practicing really well, and I’m excited about what we can do and all of the games that we’re going to win.”