Iowa State volleyball looks to exceed expectations -- again

Schools hoping to lure coach Christy Johnson-Lynch to lead their volleyball program - and there have been several - needn't bother picking up the phone.

She's not going anywhere.

“UCLA could call tomorrow and I would have no desire to do something like that,” Johnson-Lynch said.

Iowa State has reached the NCAA Tournament three straight seasons, including consecutive Sweet 16 berths, and is undoubtedly headed to the postseason once again this year.

Johnson-Lynch is recently married - to longtime assistant Joe Lynch - and is a new mother.

She grew up in Omaha, played collegiately at Nebraska and was an assistant coach at Wisconsin before taking over an ISU program in 2005 that had endured 10-straight losing seasons and was 13-167 as a member of the Big 12 Conference.

Earlier this month the Cyclones were picked to finish third in the league and are widely considered one of the top-15 programs nationally.

This is a Cyclone coach that means it when she says she's firmly entrenched.

“We've built this program with blood, sweat and tears. It's ours,” Johnson-Lynch said. “I love it here. Some coaches may see this job as a stepping stone. I do not. I love the Midwest and I want to be near my family. I love it here.”

Athletics Director Jamie Pollard has rewarded her for her loyalty, inking Johnson-Lynch to a new five-year contract through 2013 that will be worth $750,000 through the life of the deal.

Last season's regional final run that ended in Austin , Texas, was surprising.

The Cyclones won't sneak up on anyone this year and return all but one starter from that 22-13 team of '08. Three players were picked as preseason all-conference honorees in setter Kaylee Manns, outside hitter Victoria Henson and libero Ashley Mass.

With the depth there from returning players and the most heralded recruiting class in school history, and ISU has got a chance to live up to expectations.

Or even exceed them.

“I think we can be better,” said Henson, who led the Big 12 last year with 540 kills.

So does Manns, whose development has risen along with the program. The senior is the single-season school record holder in assists (1,508) and is 64 away from holding the all-time ISU mark.

“Look at all the people we have returning, and we have some awesome freshmen,” Manns said. “I'm hoping this will be our best season yet.”

Knocking down perennial Big 12 titlists Nebraska and Texas would go a long ways towards that.

Incredibly, the Cyclones have never beaten the Cornhuskers in 75 tries. ISU beat Texas in 2005, but has lost the last seven matches and is 2-26 all time against the Longhorns.

It's been a long and difficult climb back up to respectability.

Opponents respect Iowa State volleyball and, in some cases, fear it. What's not to love if you are Johnson-Lynch.

“I hope that we now are regarded as one of the premier programs in the country and teams know they have to bring their ‘A' game against us,” she said.