Iowa State moves away from Big 12 play to take on Chicago State

Iowa State will deviate from Large 12 play, taking up Chicago State Tuesday evening. The Cyclones will look to keep up their optimistic momentum after incomes a seventh straight win.

The volleyball group has been firing on all cylinders, overcoming TCU 3-1 Friday after a loss to the Horned Frogs earlier within the season. Though Iowa State will take a break from the depth of convention play, the method will stay the identical.

“We attempt to maintain all the things as uniform as doable in how we put together, so the ladies perceive and know what to anticipate coming right into a match,” assistant coach Marc Neef mentioned.

Chicago State is 6-13 general with a 2-9 file on the highway. The Cougars are a decrease caliber of opponent in comparison with Large 12 groups, however the unfamiliarity may present a problem for Iowa State.

“We simply don’t know them in addition to our convention opponents that we face twice a 12 months, 12 months in and 12 months out,” Neef mentioned.

The Cyclones will enter the match ranked No. 25 within the AVCA coach’s ballot. The rating got here after Iowa State secured its seventh consecutive Large 12 win, together with wins over the opposite two ranked Large 12 opponents, No. 11 Baylor and No. 1 Texas.

“It’s actually rewarding,” senior Annie Hatch mentioned. “I really feel like we’ve been placing within the work and getting a variety of good wins, so it’s good to see that [ranking].”

Iowa State has been clicking on the offensive finish lately. The group has seen a number of gamers attain double figures all through the seven-match win streak.

Over the previous three weeks, offensive facets like attacker decision-making and setter areas have improved, Neef mentioned. One of many greatest difference-makers, nevertheless, has been the reintegration of Hatch into the lineup.

“Her decision-making as an attacker has all the time been considered one of her strengths,” Neef mentioned. “I feel on prime of that she’s doing an excellent job blocking, ensuring our block is in a very good location to achieve success.”

Following an damage previous to the season, Hatch first noticed the ground towards Kansas State, the place she obtained two serves in Iowa State’s 0-3 loss. However, her six-kill efficiency within the subsequent match towards Kansas helped the Cyclones kick off their win streak.

As she has seen extra of the ground, Iowa State’s offense has develop into progressively extra environment friendly, with Hatch most lately main the group with 13 kills within the win over TCU. Hatch’s presence on the court docket will probably be a key issue towards Chicago State, because the Cyclones purpose to increase their successful streak to eight.

“I feel [the team] trusts one another so much, and so I simply attempt to deal with including vitality, including pleasure and serving to elevate spirits,” Hatch mentioned.

Iowa State will tackle Chicago State at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Hilton Coliseum.