Iowa State Volleyball is a high-level college level of sport competition. The team is a participant in NCAA Division I, belonging to the Big 12 conference. This program produces quality student-athletes. It is credited with its team spirit and strength. The Cyclones always play in a rough sporting environment. Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa, is their home court.
Analysts consider the Cyclones as a program that is always competitive. Therefore, the studies of team performance underline their capability of confronting the leading competitors. Thus, the analysis of the volleyball in the Big 12 in the past tends to highlight the good defense structures of Iowa State. Researchers observe the development of players in the program under the coaching of a long-term coach. However, the statistical curves of the team indicate an equal offense. They also exhibit excellent defensive consistency, especially when in the libero position.
The volleyball team of the Iowa State Cyclones always adds excitement to the arena. It is also a season of their talent, their strength, and their spirit as a team. Therefore, the team has been working through a rigorous schedule against some of the most formidable opponents and has provided the team with memorable performances for their fans. So, from exciting wins over ranked teams to the individual performances of star players, the Cyclones have shown that they are a powerhouse in the Big 12 Conference. This in-depth analysis of the team discusses the team history, includes the most memorable moments, the most important players, and the future of this resolute team.
Building a Contender: The 2025 Roster
A winning volleyball team begins with a good team. Iowa State has managed to create a vibrant team of athletes. The squad consists of experienced and potential new players. This combination forms a competitive and favorable atmosphere. Head Coach Christy Johnson-Lynch has learned to develop a roster that is well developed in depth and versatility, so that there is an ability to strategize and make the decisive play.
The Coaching Staff
Any great team has leadership as its core. Therefore, the Iowa State Cyclones have a competent and committed coaching staff. Thus, their knowledge is key to the development of the team and its success on the field.
- Head Coach Christy Johnson-Lynch: One of the key figures in the history of the program, Johnson-Lynch offers guidance and direction. Her leadership has determined the competitive identity of the team.
- Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator Ciara Jones: Jones is crucial in recruiting and attracting the best of the best at Iowa State. The future of the program is bright due to her efforts.
- Assistant Coach Marc Neef: Neef assists in the development of players and game-day strategy. He aids the execution of the team with his technical expertise.
- Volleyball Operations/Assistant Coach Michelle Aggen: Aggen deals with the logistics of the program and makes sure that things run smoothly in the background.
- Player Development Technical Coordinator David Irving: Irving is a specialist in the technical abilities of the players, and he employs analytics and specific training to improve the performance of players.
The Senior Leaders
The older generation is more stable and experienced. Their leadership cannot be bought with money or played. They are role models to the whole team.
- Morgan Brandt (S): Brandt is the organizer of the crime as a setter. Her sight and specific sets provoke the scoring opportunities for the team attackers.
- Tierney Jackson (MB): Jackson is a presence at the net, and his blocking and hitting play a central role both offensively and defensively for the team.
- Maya Duckworth (OH): Duckworth has been a strong outside hitter and a player to depend on in most crucial situations. Her performance and leadership made her a Preseason All-Big 12 choice.
- Faith DeRonde (OH/RS): DeRonde can play several roles that employ depth and offensive firepower.
- Amiree Hendricks-Walker (MB): Hendricks-Walker introduces some power and experience to the middle blocker role and produces with the much-needed blocks and attacks.
- Paula Krzeslak (DS/L): Krzeslak is a defensive specialist whose court awareness and quick reflexes are necessary to the back-row defence of the team.
The Junior Class
The juniors form one of the key contributors. Therefore, they provide the connection between the seniors among the leaders of the club and the young players in the club.
- Pam McCune (MB): McCune provides an addition to the middle blocker role with her good net play and athleticism.
- Abbi Brenizer (MB/RS): Brenizer is fairly flexible and can play in different positions at the net, which enhances the offensive and defensive strategies of the team.
- Lilly Wachholz (RS): Wachholz is a strong attacking threat on the other side because he is also a right-side hitter.
- Nayeli Gonzalez (OH): Gonzalez is an excellent outside hitter who provides the Cyclones with one more powerful weapon in their attack.
- Nayeli Ti’a (OH): Ti’a, as an outside hitter, is an excellent addition to the rotation on the team and a great depth.
The Sophomore Rising Stars
The junior class is causing a serious impact. These players have undertaken bigger roles during this season, demonstrating their maturity and potential.
- Shae Pearson (MB): Pearson has become one of the crucial elements in the middle, and he plays a role by blocking and hitting at the right time.
- Rachel Van Gorp (L): Van Gorp has been the libero of the team. She is a remarkable digger and a regular player; this has won her several Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week awards during the season.
- Ava Martin (S): Martin is a deeper addition to the setter role, and he is a prospective future head of the offense.
The Freshman Phenoms
The latest entrants in the team are full of energy and talent. The freshmen class is the future of the Iowa State volleyball.
- Reagan Hanfelt (MB/RS): Hanfelt is a front-row player with versatility, and she is prepared to stamp her mark on the game.
- Annalise Grant (L/DS): Grant provides defensive power to the team with her abilities in the role of a libero and defensive expert.
- Mesaiya Bettis (OH): Bettis will turn out to be a great outside hitter with the potential to make a significant offensive contributor.
- Alea Goolsby (OH): Goolsby can add talent to the outside hitter position and complete a recruiting class.
A Season of Victories and Tribulations.
| Category | Name | Position | Key Contributions |
| Coaching Staff | Christy Johnson-Lynch | Head Coach | Provides leadership, guidance, and defines the competitive identity of the team. |
| Ciara Jones | Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator | Attracts top talent and ensures a bright future for the program. | |
| Marc Neef | Assistant Coach | Develops players and game-day strategies with technical expertise. | |
| Michelle Aggen | Volleyball Operations/Assistant Coach | Manages logistics and ensures smooth operations. | |
| David Irving | Player Development Technical Coordinator | Improves player performance through analytics and specialized training. | |
| Senior Leaders | Morgan Brandt | Setter (S) | Organizes the offense with precise sets, creating scoring opportunities. |
| Tierney Jackson | Middle Blocker (MB) | Dominates at the net with blocking and hitting, contributing to both offense and defense. | |
| Maya Duckworth | Outside Hitter (OH) | Dependable in crucial situations; Preseason All-Big 12 choice. | |
| Faith DeRonde | Outside Hitter/Right Side (OH/RS) | Versatile player adding depth and offensive firepower. | |
| Amiree Hendricks-Walker | Middle Blocker (MB) | Provides power and experience with crucial blocks and attacks. | |
| Paula Krzeslak | Defensive Specialist/Libero (DS/L) | Key to back-row defense with court awareness and quick reflexes. | |
| Junior Class | Pam McCune | Middle Blocker (MB) | Adds athleticism and strong net play to the middle blocker role. |
| Abbi Brenizer | Middle Blocker/Right Side (MB/RS) | Flexible player enhancing offensive and defensive strategies. | |
| Lilly Wachholz | Right Side (RS) | Strong attacking threat as a right-side hitter. | |
| Nayeli Gonzalez | Outside Hitter (OH) | Powerful weapon in the Cyclones’ attack. | |
| Nayeli Ti’a | Outside Hitter (OH) | Adds depth and rotation options as an outside hitter. | |
| Sophomore Rising Stars | Shae Pearson | Middle Blocker (MB) | Crucial in blocking and hitting at key moments. |
| Rachel Van Gorp | Libero (L) | Outstanding digger and consistent player; multiple Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week awards. | |
| Ava Martin | Setter (S) | Promising addition to the setter role and future offensive leader. | |
| Freshman Phenoms | Reagan Hanfelt | Middle Blocker/Right Side (MB/RS) | Versatile front-row player ready to make an impact. |
| Annalise Grant | Libero/Defensive Specialist (L/DS) | Strengthens the team’s defense with her skills. | |
| Mesaiya Bettis | Outside Hitter (OH) | Talented outside hitter with significant offensive potential. | |
| Alea Goolsby | Outside Hitter (OH) | Adds depth and talent to the outside hitter position. |
The season 2025 has been a roller coaster ride for the Iowa State Cyclones. They have registered a remarkable 18-5 total record and 8-4 conference record. The team has also been resilient in recording huge victories and learning through narrow defeats. Thus, they have managed to survive the season, which reflects their competitive spirit.
A Dominant Non-Conference Start
Iowa State started the season on a blaze. Therefore, they played their way through the Bobcat Invite and the Milwaukee Tournament and did not lose a single set in the first five matches. Thus, this first lead established a good atmosphere for the season.
- August 29: W, 3-0 vs. Bucknell
- August 30: W, 3-0 at Ohio
- September 5: W, 3-0 over Central Michigan.
- September 5: W, 3-0 at Milwaukee
- September 6: W, 3-0 vs. South Alabama
The Cyclones suffered their first loss by 1-3 in the UNI. They, however, soon recovered and won the Cyclone Invitational and had a dramatic win in the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series against Iowa. Thus, they completed the non-conference schedule well with victories in the Illinois Tournament.
Navigating the Big 12 Gauntlet
The Big 12 never has an easy time with conference play. Iowa State began its Big 12 season with a difficult road journey, having to deal with two ranked teams. Following a dramatic 3-2 reverse sweep win over the 23rd-ranked Utah, they lost to BYU number 14.
The team went back home and got back on track. Therefore, they won four consecutive conference championships, a much-needed home victory over UCF, and a five-set match in Kansas State. On October 31, one of the highlights of the season occurred. Cyclones hosted Arizona State, which was on a 12-match winning streak. Iowa State snatched what was otherwise a titanic five-set victory. Thus, the triumph was energizing to Hilton Coliseum and delivered strong signals to the other members of the conference. It was even an ode to their hardiness and their capability to work under stress. Only two days ago, they had overrun the 18 Baylor, and demonstrated their ability to compete with the best in the country.
The season too has not gone without its troubles. The previous 0-3 road loss at UCF was not an easy one. The Knights possessed an effective game, and the Cyclones were helpless to locate their offensive position. Although the team lost, sophomore libero Rachel Van Gorp still played at an impressive level, recording 22 digs, which is her 28th game of consecutive performances with at least 10 digs. This defeat must have taken a toll on the prospects of the team hosting an NCAA tournament opening weekend, which may have further strained their matches.
Key Player Spotlights
The Cyclones have had individual excellence. So, a number of players have been consistent with performances that have earned them awards, contributing to the success of the team. Thus, their inputs have been significant in the availability of vital victories.
Maya Duckworth: The Chief Executive.
Maya Duckworth, who is a top outside hitter, has been the pillar of strength on the team. She is a constant threat due to her strong attacks and her play being all around. Throughout this season, she made a milestone as she made 1,000 career kills in the game against the number 24 Colorado. This achievement shows how consistent and influential she has been during her four-year tenure as a Cyclone. Her leadership was finally recognized as she was included in the Preseason All-Big 12 Team, an award that was voted on by the league head coaches. The experience and performance of Duckworth in terms of his clutch are extremely important to the offense of the team.
Rachel Van Gorp: The Defensive Anchor.
Sophomore libero Rachel Van Gorp has been spectacular. She has proved to be one of the best defenders in the country. Her reading skills in the hitters and the spectacular digs have saved the Cyclones innumerable points. Therefore, this season has seen Van Gorp get two Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week awards. However, she has logged 20 or more digs in seven contests, which demonstrates her consistency and high-level performance. Thus, the fact that she has put together a 28-match streak of games where she has recorded a minimum of 10 digs is an indication of her consistency in the Iowa State defense.
The Future: Future Matches.
As the regular season approaches the end, all matches are critical to the Cyclones. It will be the performance at the end that will give them their seed in the Big 12 ratings and their ranking in the NCAA Tournament. Therefore, the team encounters an alternation of road tests and home stands.
- Houston, November 13: The Cyclones will go to the state of Texas to play the Houston Cougars. The road game is a great chance to recover after they lost in their last game.
- 15 November vs. TCU: Iowa State will then come back to the comfortable environment of Hilton Coliseum to face TCU. The Cyclones also have an unbeaten record at home this season, and they will seek to defend their home against a respected conference opponent.
- November 19 in Cincinnati: This time, the team will have another road test as they drive to Ohio and meet the Cincinnati Bearcats.
- November 21, West Virginia: The Cyclones are still on a road trip and have a game with the West Virginia Mountaineers.
- November 26 vs. Kansas: Iowa State is coming back home against Kansas in a vital game.
- November 29 vs. Kansas State: It is the last regular season game and will take place at Hilton Coliseum against a rival in Kansas State, and is a Senior Day game. It will be a very personal and significant match for the team.
The fact that the Cyclones have never been defeated at the Hilton Coliseum is also an advantage. The home crowd gives it a great push, and that Hilton Magic will serve as a strong backlash to the team during the last home games. These future games are critical in momentum building and getting an ideal postseason spot.
A Legacy of Resilience
The Iowa State volleyball program is not a team of victories and defeats, but rather more. It is a novel of survival, growing up, and belonging. The success of the team this season should not be treated as a one-off occurrence but as a continuation of a culture that has been developed over a long period of time. Therefore, the disappointments of higher-ranking teams and the personal achievements are by-products of a system that develops and makes one stronger. Player recruited into Ames and joins a legacy.
They get to learn how to battle items that work against them, how to have faith in their team members, and how to become proud of their university. It remains unknown what the end of this season will produce; however, the nature of this team has already been displayed. Therefore, they are an embodiment of the spirit of the Cyclone: strong-willed, irrepressible, and up to the challenge any time.
