South Dakota Classic Primer

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State next heads to Vermillion, S.D. for the South Dakota Classic Friday, Sept. 13 through Sunday, Sept. 15. ISU first meets UTEP (5-1, 0-0 CUSA) on Friday at 4 p.m., and plays South Dakota (3-2, 0-0 Summit) Saturday at 5 p.m. and Montana State (1-4, 0-0 Big Sky) Sunday at 10 a.m.

South Dakota Classic, Sept. 13-15

Live Stats | Media Center | Notes

Watch vs. UTEP | Watch vs. South Dakota | Watch vs. Montana State

All matches will be streamed on the Summit League Network, a subscription is required.

By the Numbers

2 – Iowa State enters 2024 following two-straight 20-win seasons.

3 – A crowd of 5,523 saw ISU take the win against Iowa, the third-largest volleyball crowd in Hilton history.

5 – Pam McCune had the first 10-block match by a Cyclone in five years vs. Illinois.

20 – The 2024 season marks Christy Johnson-Lynch's 20th season leading Iowa State.

The 2024 Cyclones

Christy Johnson-Lynch continues her 20th season leading Iowa State, a program she has transformed. Johnson-Lynch holds 371 career victories (.648 winning percentage), with 203 of those being Big 12 wins to rank fourth in all-time conference history. Iowa State totals 10 20-win seasons under Johnson-Lynch, including the past two seasons.

Last match against Iowa, Iowa State won 3-1 and took the third straight win in the series and 32^nd in series history. Nayeli Gonzalez put on a show with 18 kills (4.5 per set) at a career-high .483 hitting percentage. Iowa State hit at .407 through the match, making for the 16^th time ISU has hit .400 or above under Johnson-Lynch.

Morgan Brandt stands 56 assists away from hitting 2,000 on her career. The junior's 1,944 ranks 12th in school history.

The Opponent

Iowa State holds a 6-0 record against the host South Dakota and last met last season, where the Cyclones swept the Coyotes at Hilton. Outside hitter Kylen Sealock leads the Coyotes with 68 kills at an efficient .322. ISU and Montana State have met twice previously in 1980 and 1986. Last season, Montana State advanced to the NIVC semifinals to cap a 24-9 season. The Cyclones will meet UTEP for the first time. UTEP fell in the 2023 NIVC title game as the Miners finished 25-10, making their deepest postseason run.

Next Up

Following the South Dakota Classic, Iowa State heads to New York to meet Colgate in Hamilton, N.Y. on Sept. 19 and Syracuse in Syracuse N.Y. on Sept. 21.

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Players Mentioned

Morgan Brandt

Nayeli Gonzalez

Pam McCune

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics