Cyclones Set for NCAA Tournament

AMES, Iowa – No. 6-Seed Iowa State is set to open the first round of the NCAA Tournament against Florida Gulf Coast Friday, Dec. 2 at 3:30 p.m. CT. The Cyclones look to advance to the second round for the first time since 2017 and the 11^th time in program history.

The Cyclones travel to Gainesville, Fla. As the University of Florida plays host. All matches will be streamed on ESPN+.

The team that advances from Friday's match will move on to meet the winner of the No. 3-Seed Florida and Florida A&M matchup on Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. CT.

IOWA STATE (19-11, 10-6 Big 12)

The Cyclones concluded regular season with the victory over Oklahoma, making for the first season since 2017 to solidify 10 Big 12 wins. Also with the victory, Christy Johnson-Lynch moves into a tie for the fifth-most Big 12 wins in conference history by a head coach with 192.

Eleanor Holthaus and Maya Duckworth earned All-Big 12 honors, the conference announced Tuesday. Holthaus became the first four-time All-Big 12 First Team honoree in program history. The senior is the leader this season in kills with 366 at 3.05 per set. Holthaus also leads with 29 aces and has the second-highest dig total with 245. Duckworth earned All-Big 12 Second Team honors, becoming the third ISU freshman all time to do so. Duckworth is one of three freshmen to earn All-Big 12 honors and one of four unanimous All-Rookie Team selections among the conference this season.

Brooke Stonestreet finalizes league play at the top with the average of 4.74 digs per set.

FLORIDA GULF COAST (26-6, 13-3 ASUN)

FGCU automatically qualified for the NCAA Championship with its win in the ASUN Tournament while extending its current win streak to 10. In regular season, FGCU finished second in ASUN action. Friday marks the first meeting between ISU and FGCU. Against Big 12 opponents, the Eagles are 1-1 all-time.

Last season, FGCU reverse swept Big 12-foe Texas Tech in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. In the matchup, then-junior Erin Shomaker led with 20 kills at a .356 hitting percentage. The Eagles also knocked off No. 13 UCF in the first round of the tournament in 2018 for the program's first ranked win. Friday marks Florida Gulf Coast's third tournament appearance in program history.

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Players Mentioned

Maya Duckworth

Eleanor Holthaus

Brooke Stonestreet

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics