ISU Opens Season With Cardinal and Gold Challenge

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State officially opens regular season with the Cardinal and Gold Challenge at Hilton Coliseum August 25-27, beginning the 50^th season in program history. Christy Johnson-Lynch enters her 19^th season leading the team.

𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄

Christy Johnson-Lynch is set to begin her 19th season leading the Cyclones. The 50th season of Iowa State Volleyball kicks off tomorrow at Hilton.#FightAsOne pic.twitter.com/wTl2ehpmFe
— Iowa State Volleyball (@CycloneVB) August 24, 2023

The 2023 Cyclone team features 12 returners and three newcomers. Iowa State received votes in the preseason AVCA Coaches Poll following the Cyclones putting up a 20-win season in 2022, advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the 11^th time in school history.

Maya Duckworth is set to begin her sophomore campaign after earning a spot on the Preseason All-Big 12 team. In 2022, Duckworth became the first ISU freshman to be named an AVCA All-Region First Team selection and totaled 311 kills at 2.70 per set.

The Cyclones open competition against South Dakota Friday, August 25 at 6:30 p.m. ISU will then face DePaul on Sunday, August 27 at 1 p.m. All matches will be streamed on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.

Promotions for the home opener Friday include free gold "Hilton is my Happy Place" shirts for the first 250 students and free pizza. Student tickets can be accessed here. Five general admission tickets will also be available for $5 here. The Faculty and Staff Appreciation match is Friday where reserved tickets are just $3 at this link. On Sunday, tickets are buy one get one free for Jr. Cyclone Club members and their families at this link. The post-match season ticket holder meet and greet will also be held Sunday.

𝙎𝙏𝙐𝘿𝙀𝙉𝙏𝙎❗️

We want to see you at Hilton this Friday at 6:30 PM! Come help us open our season and get this free t-shirt and pizza!#FightAsOne pic.twitter.com/E4AA0SuqWu
— Iowa State Volleyball (@CycloneVB) August 23, 2023

South Dakota (0-0, 0-0 Summit)

South Dakota is led by Leanne Williamson who begins her 10^th season. Last season Williamson led the Coyotes to a 29-4 season and both the Summit League regular season and tournament title. In South Dakota's NCAA Tournament appearance, SD took No. 23 Houston to five sets.

Iowa State leads the all-time series 5-0 and last met in 2019 where ISU prevailed 3-0.

DePaul (0-0, 0-0 Big East)

In 2022, DePaul took two ranked opponents to a fifth set, No. 16 Marquette and No. 21 Creighton. The Blue Demons finalized the season at 10-20 overall and 6-12 in the Big East.

Iowa State last met DePaul in 2021 for a series where the Cyclones lost 2-3 and 1-3. From 1981-92, ISU and DePaul met six additional times as the all-time series is tied 4-4.

Next Up

Iowa State next takes on the first road test with the GCU Tournament in Phoenix, Ariz. ISU first meets future Big 12 opponent Arizona September 1 before meeting Long Island and GCU September 2.

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Players Mentioned

Maya Duckworth

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics