AMES, Iowa – The American Volleyball Coaches Association ranked Iowa State eighth in its final poll of 2011, released Tuesday. The ranking comes on the heels of a NCAA regional final berth by the 25-6 Cyclones, who finished second in the Big 12 with a 13-3 conference record, and is the second-highest final ranking in school history.
The 2011 season was one of the best ever for Iowa State as the Cyclones defeated a record-tying five ranked opponents, including an upset of No. 9 Florida, and won 25 matches for only the second time in program history. Seventh-year head coach Christy Johnson-Lynch made history as the winningest volleyball coach at Iowa State, finishing the season with a career record of 150-70.
Individually, Iowa State players garnered four AVCA All-America awards, including the first team selection of setter Alison Landwehr, marking the third-straight season in which a Cyclone has earned first team honors. Senior Carly Jenson earned the first all-America nod of her career, selected to the second team and Kristen Hahn and Jamie Straube were named all-America honorable mentions. Straube was previously named an honorable mention in 2010.
Academically, the Cyclones set a school record with 10 players named as Academic All-Big 12 selections, including eight first team awards.
The Cyclones defeated Milwaukee, No. 25 Miami (FL) and No. 19 Minnesota to reach the regional final match, the second time in four seasons Iowa State has advanced to the Elite Eight round.
Iowa State was one of three Big 12 schools ranked to end the season, behind Texas (four) and in front of Kansas State (22). Texas A&M received votes and appeared on at least two ballots in the final poll.
