Completed Event: Volleyball versus Loyola on August 28, 2026 , Win , 3, to, 0
Final
Volleyball
3
Loyola
0
Iowa State University Athletics
Thursday, September 3
Santa Barbara, Calif.
8:00 PM
Iowa State
at
UCSB
Photo by: Jeff Spaur
PRIMER: Gaucho Invite
09.02.2026 | Volleyball
AMES, Iowa – Iowa State takes on its first road trip of 2026 to meet host UCSB and Utah State. ISU enters the Gaucho Invite after opening the season at 2-1 at the Cyclone Invite.
Thursday, Sept. 3, 8:00 p.m. CT, at UCSB (3-0, 0-0 Big West)
Live Stats | ESPN+ | Media Center | Notes
Friday, Sept. 4, 8 p.m. CT, vs. Utah State (0-3, 0-0 Pac-12)
Live Stats | Media Center | Notes
By the Numbers
1 – Rachel Van Gorp is the first in Iowa State history to earn a spot on the AVCA Player of the Year Watch List. Van Gorp is also the one and only libero on the Big 12 Preseason Team.
3 – Christy Johnson-Lynch ranks No. 3 all time in Big 12 history with 219 league victories.
19 – The 2026 squad features 11 returners, six freshmen and two transfers.
22 – Christy Johnson-Lynch begins her 22nd season leading the Cyclones.
The 2026 Cyclones
Rachel Van Gorp earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week and Ava Martin was named Big 12 Setter of the Week after opening week. It is Van Gorp's third defensive weekly honor, while Martin is the first Big 12 player to earn the nod with the award's introduction this season. The duo also earned a spot on the Big 12 Starting Seven.
Nayeli Gonzalez made her return to the court vs. Loyola, coming back from injury for the first time since Oct. 9, 2024. Gonzalez ranks 20th nationally in both kills (4.71 per set) and points (5.36 per set).
In the win over UNI, both Gonzalez and Nayeli Ti'a had 20-plus kill matches in four sets. Gonzalez put down 26 and Ti'a 22.
The Opponents
Iowa State and UCSB last met in 2023, with the Gauchos winning in four at Hilton. Utah State will be a new opponent for the Cyclones.
UCSB is undefeated, with a five-set win vs. Tarleton State, and sweeps vs. Prairie View A&M and at Arizona. Utah State opened its season at No. 3 Kentucky, and was handed losses by the hosts, Eastern Kentucky and South Florida.
The Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series is next up. Iowa State hosts Iowa at Hilton Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available here.
Players Mentioned
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/ VolleyballMonday, August 31
Monday, August 31
Monday, August 31
Sunday, August 30
