NCAA Tournament Primer: Iowa State vs. Hawaii

EUGENE, Oregon – Iowa State (20-9, 11-7 Big 12) meets Hawaii in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Eugene, Oregon. ISU enters as the No. 7 seed with No. 6 Oregon, the No. 2 seed, serving as the host. The winner will move on to play Oregon or Southwest Louisiana Friday, Dec. 1 at 9 p.m. CT.

Thursday, Nov. 30, 6 p.m. CT

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The 2023 Cyclones

Nayeli Gonzalez earned Big 12 Rookie of the Year, First Team All-Big 12 and unanimous selection to the All-Rookie team. Gonzalez is the third Cyclone to earn Rookie of the Year and first Cyclone freshman to earn First Team All-Big 12 honors. Gonzalez nears the ISU freshman kill record of 353 set in 2008, currently totaling 336.

Iowa State sealed the 11th sweep of the season in the 3-0 win over UCF Nov. 22. With the win, Christy Johnson-Lynch took hold of the fourth-most wins in Big 12 history with 202 on her career. The Cyclones then closed regular season with the win over Cincinnati to seal the eighth 20-win season under Johnson-Lynch.

Morgan Brandt has totaled 1,089 assists and 13 double-doubles this season. Brandt also totals 90 kills, currently the 12th-highest single season setter kill total in program history.

Jordan Hopp has put up 102 blocks this season and holds a hitting percentage of .324 to lead the team in both categories.

By the Numbers

1 – Nayeli Gonzalez is the first freshman in ISU history to earn First Team All-Big 12.

3 – Iowa State has three Top-25 wins this season; vs. No. 14 Kansas, vs. No. 18 Baylor and at No. 21 Houston.

17 – Iowa State will make its 17^th appearance in the NCAA Tournament, with 16 coming under Johnson-Lynch.

Rookie of the Year.
First Team All-Big 12.
Unanimous All-Rookie Selection.

Nayeli Gonzalez. pic.twitter.com/60sBAEF6mn
— Iowa State Volleyball (@CycloneVB) November 28, 2023

Hawaii (23-8, 14-4 Big West)

Hawaii earned an automatic bid after winning the Big West Tournament to make its 30^th consecutive NCAA Tournament. Hawaii's last tournament win came in 2021, beating Mississippi State in the first round. Amber Igiede has hit 417 kills this season at an efficiency of .401, while also leading the Rainbow Wahine with 120 total blocks.

Iowa State and Hawaii will meet for the first time in series history.

Players Mentioned

Morgan Brandt

Nayeli Gonzalez

Jordan Hopp

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics