Cyclone Invite Primer

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State (1-1, 0-0 Big 12) hosts the home-opening Cyclone Invite welcoming Toledo, Wake Forest and Illinois Thursday, Sept. 5 through Sunday, Sept. 8.

Notes | Media Center | Tournament Page

vs. Toledo (3-0, 0-0 MAC) Thurs., Sept. 5, 6:30 p.m. CT

Tickets | Live Stats | ESPN+

Big 12 Now On ESPN+: PxP Evan Wessling, Analyst Amiah Marshall-Johnson

vs. Wake Forest (2-1, 0-0 ACC) Fri., Sept. 6, 6:30 p.m. CT

Tickets | Live Stats | ESPN+

Big 12 Now On ESPN+: PxP BJ Schaben, Analyst Jamie Steyer Johnson

Vs. Illinois (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten) Sat., Sept. 7, 4 p.m. CT

Tickets | Live Stats | ESPN+

Big 12 Now On ESPN+: PxP BJ Schaben, Analyst Jesse Klein

Promotions

Join us as we celebrate 20 seasons of Christy Johnson-Lynch in the home opener vs. Toledo. On Friday, promotions include five general admission tickets for just $5 at this link. It will also be Jr. Cyclone Day, all members will receive one free ticket added to their account to bring a friend and there will be face painting and balloons on the concourse pre-match. Saturday is Special Olympics Day, with competition post-match. Special Olympics athletes and families can purchase $3 tickets.

By the Numbers

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

15 – The 2024 squad features 10 returners, three freshmen and two transfers.

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 (.647 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.

The 2024 Cyclones feature a squad of 10 returners who produced 72 percent of kills and 58 percent of blocks in 2023. Nayeli Gonzalez continues her sophomore season following AVCA Honorable Mention All-America, AVCA Midwest Freshman of the Year, AVCA First Team All-Region, Big 12 Rookie of the Year and First Team All-Big 12 honors in her first year out.

At the season-opening Rebel Challenge, Iowa State took the win over Pacific and lost to the host UNLV in five sets. Gonzalez led the offense with 19- and 17-kill performances, bringing in 20 or more points in both matches. Making the start at libero in both matches as a true freshman was Rachel Van Gorp, who put up two 19-dig matches. Pam McCune nearly had a 10-block night with nine total while also sending over 11 kills at a .429 clip.

The Opponents

Iowa State and Illinois will meet for the first time since 2014, where No. 10 Illinois won 3-0 in the NCAA Tournament Second Round. Illinois leads the series 5-1, with Iowa State's victory coming in 2012 at Illinois. Illinois will return to Ames for the first time since 2013. Eighth-year Head Coach Chris Tamas has led the Fighting Illini to three NCAA Regionals and a Final Four trip in 2018.

Iowa State will meet Toledo and Wake Forest for the first time in series history. Wake Forest is off to a 2-1 start, picking up wins vs. Big 12 opponent WVU in five sets and a sweep vs. Navy. The Demon Deacons dropped their season opener to Hofstra 0-3 at home. Toledo enters the tournament unbeaten with victories against Bucknell, Binghampton and Merrimack.

Next Up

Following the tournament, Iowa State hosts the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series Wednesday, Sept. 11. Tickets are available here.

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Players Mentioned

Nayeli Gonzalez

Pam McCune

Rachel Van Gorp

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics