Cy-Hawk Rivalry: From Fans to ISU Athletes

The Cy-Hawk rivalry; the series that draws in record crowds and people circle on their calendar.

Iowa natives understand how deep the rivalry goes, including the three Iowa State volleyball players who hail from Iowa: Morgan Brandt, Faith DeRonde and Kiersten Schmitt.

Brandt, a setter from Sumner, Iowa, can always remember the excitement surrounding an Iowa State and Iowa matchup around school at Sumner-Fredericksburg.

"Growing up, everyone knows when Iowa and Iowa State play, it's a big deal," Brandt said. "You go to school and wear your favorite school's shirt since its well-known."

DeRonde, an outside hitter who grew up less than two hours away from Ames in Oskaloosa, Iowa, grew up a Cyclone fan. DeRonde states she has always bled Cardinal and Gold as her parents both are graduates of Iowa State University.

Schmitt, a pin hitter and Epworth, Iowa native actually grew up a Hawkeye fan.

"Growing up living an hour away from Iowa City, I grew up a Hawkeye fan which is weird to say," Schmitt said. "The rivalry has been in my life forever, my dad went to Iowa State and my mom went to Iowa so it had always been a house divided."

Kiersten Schmitt

Schmitt said right after she committed to Iowa State, her whole family flipped to Iowa State and began coming to Iowa State events.

Now as Cyclone student-athletes themselves, getting to play in the series they grew up watching and being invested in offers a new perspective. The trio enters this season's matchup with experience after being a part of 2022 winning team in Ames that saw the third-largest volleyball crowd in Hilton history.

"This match is really hyped up, it's a big deal to play Iowa," Brandt said. "It's a good pressure, a good feeling. People show up for this game; there's a lot more energy from the fans, even shouting down at the court. It motivates you and you want to win a lot more."

DeRonde echoes the same point.

"It's very special to get to play in this game especially because we've known this rivalry our whole lives," DeRonde said. "Being Iowa kids we know how deep that rivalry is to us."

Schmitt also points out how this match has an atmosphere like no other and not only wanting to play for the team, but for family and friends in the stands.

"It's really special because a bunch of our family gets to come and we get to represent our state. It's fun to go to these games and with us being from Iowa we know so many people there, so we want to play for them."

The series between Iowa State and Iowa volleyball dates back to 1977 and this Wednesday, the teams will meet for the 55^th time.

"It's bigger than sports," Brandt said. "It's cool that the state of Iowa comes together all rooting for their team."