Conversation with Cyclone Jess Villhauer

Ames, IOWA - The Cyclones and sophomore Jess Villhauer will compete in the Big 12 Tournament next week starting November 3. Jess is a midfielder and is a native of Iowa City, Iowa. She has played in 17 games and has two assists for two points. The team has a 7-10-0 record which has surpassed the five wins from last season. The Cyclones will finish out their regular season on Sunday. They will play at No. 6 Kansas on Friday and will play their final game at home against Iowa on Sunday. Jess sits down to chat about the season and the upcoming Big 12 Tournament.

What were goals at the beginning of the season, both individually and as a team?
"We wanted a stronger team and we just wanted to show people what we could do and have a better season than last year. Individually, I just wanted to be able to contribute to the team and be a leader for the newcomers."

Have you met or surpassed these goals?
"Yes, I think so. We have a better record than last year and we also made it to the Big 12 Tournament."

One of your goals as a team was to take things "one game at a time." How do you keep that mindset while you're playing in the Big 12 Tournmanent?
"You have to take it one game, you can't be thinking about the next game because you're not always sure if you're going to get another game."

What has the team accomplished so far this season?
"Although we just lost to some of the top teams in the conference, we proved that we can compete with them and we know that we could have beaten them. I think we've really stepped it a lot."

What are your goals for the Big 12 Tournament?
"It's exciting to just be there. We are peaking at the best time of our season and we just want to continue to peak and prove to everyone that we can play there."

What are you most looking forward to about the Big 12 Tournament?
"I'm looking forward to the atmosphere, the competition and just knowing that we worked to get there, and that we deserve to be there."

Describe your team in one word
"Heart"

What is your role on the team?
"I've always been described as the playmaker. I like to feed the forwards the ball, and be creative in the middle."

What would you like to tell the fans at ISU about the upcoming Big 12 Tournament?
"Come watch us! We are there to play our best and compete with the best and we want to show you what we can do."