PRIMER: at Texas Tech, vs. UCF

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State moves to conference play this week, first heading to Texas Tech Friday before returning home to host UCF Sunday.

Friday, Sept. 25, 6 p.m., at Texas Tech (8-4, 0-0 Big 12)

Live Stats | ESPN+ | Media Center | Notes

Sunday, Sept. 27, 4 p.m., vs. UCF (8-2, 0-0 Big 12)

Tickets | Live Stats | ESPN+ | Media Center | Notes

With the South Hilton steps closed, fans can enter through the upper and lower West entrances or the North entrance. The student entrance is through the North doors.

Promotions

For the Big 12 home opener Sunday, those with Sept. 26 football tickets can receive discounted volleyball tickets here. There will also be post-match autographs following the match.

By the Numbers

1 – Rachel Van Gorp is the first in Iowa State history to earn a spot on the AVCA Player of the Year Watch List. Van Gorp is also the one and only libero on the Big 12 Preseason Team.

3 – Christy Johnson-Lynch ranks No. 3 all time in Big 12 history with 219 league victories.

7 – Pam McCune had the seventh-highest hitting percentage in program history vs. TAMUCC, hitting 12 kills at 0.733.

9 – Freshman Macie Lupkes nearly had a 10-block match vs. Hawaii, putting up nine block assists.

22 – Christy Johnson-Lynch is in her 22nd season leading the Cyclones. The coach holds a record of 15-6 in Big 12 openers.

The 2026 Cyclones

Rachel Van Gorp hit the milestone of 1,000 digs vs. UCLA. Van Gorp is the 19th Cyclone in program history to cross the barrier while the libero's late mother, Janice Ninemire, became the second in ISU history to hit 1,000 career digs in 1990.

Freshman setter Ella Florez made her first start vs. Villanova, and had her first double-double the next match at American with 21 assists and 12 digs.

Van Gorp earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week and Ava Martin was named Big 12 Setter of the Week in week one awards. It is Van Gorp's third defensive weekly honor, while Martin is the first Big 12 player to earn the nod with the award's introduction this season. The duo also earned a spot on the Big 12 Starting Seven.

Nayeli Gonzalez made her return to the court for ISU vs. Loyola, coming back from injury for the first time since Oct. 9, 2024.

The Opponents

Iowa State and Texas Tech will meet for the 62nd time in series history, while ISU's record at Texas Tech stands at 17-12. Christy Johnson-Lynch is 34-6 vs. TTU. Sara Bowcutt is the Red Raider leader in kills with 172 at 4.00 per set this season.

The ISU vs. UCF series record stands tied at 2-2. At home, Iowa State is unbeaten against UCF at 2-0. UCF leads the Big 12 in the season ranks hitting at 0.334 (No. 3 nationally). UCF's Natasha Casey has served 30 aces in 34 sets to lead the conference and rank second in the nation averaging 0.88 per set.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Ella Florez

Nayeli Gonzalez

Macie Lupkes

Ava Martin

Pam McCune

Rachel Van Gorp

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics