Iowa volleyball standout Jess Janota hopes to 'blow up' Iowa State

IOWA CITY — When her hand smacks the ball, dedication, drive and respect ring through the ears of her opponents.

'Jess is the epitome of brute force on the volleyball as a hitter,' Iowa volleyball coach Bond Shymansky said. 'She can absolutely blow a team up when she catches fire.'

Jess Janota's drive comes from her family, friends and teammates. But her terminal mind-set comes from a motto she lives by on and off the court.

'Train to love, learn and prosper from life's blessing,' a mission statement she plans to take with her after she graduates this school year.

As her final season takes off, Janota looks back at her time playing as a Hawkeye volleyball player. A four-year starter, Janota hasn't missed one game and appeared in every match since the start of her Hawkeye volleyball career in 2014.

The 6-foot-3 Concord, Ohio, native began her journey in volleyball in middle school and has worked her way up to 260 kills last season with 2.63 per set.

Her teammates and coaches have watched her grow academically, athletically and individually.

When Janota steps on the volleyball court Friday, it will be her last time playing her biggest rival, the Iowa State Cyclones.

'All bets are off,' Shymansky said when asked about Friday's game.

The rivalry between Iowa State and Iowa always makes for a good game. But the Hawkeyes have been trading the home court advantage for two years and it's a streak they're willing to break.

Winning against the Cyclones in just four sets at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in 2015, Janota had a career-high 20-kill night. It was Iowa's first win against Iowa State since 1997, a game the coaches and her teammates are hoping to match this Friday.

After losing last year on Iowa State's home court, Shymansky is expecting a win at Carver-Hawkeye Arena and to hold court.

Shymansky said when Jess decides to go off, she goes off and she becomes unstoppable. Janota's beast mode is something that is mirrored by her teammates and the Cyclones will do everything in their power to contain her.

Janota's devotion to volleyball will resonate in the ears of her teammates in her final games to come.

l Comments: taylor.limas@thegazette.com