For the second year in a row, three Cyclone volleyball players have been selected for the American Volleyball Coaches Association’s All-Central Region team. Junior outside hitter Victoria Henson, senior setter Kaylee Manns and junior libero Ashley Mass have been selected for numerous awards this season and this selection in particular puts them in consideration for All-American accolades.

Henson used the 2009 season to show her all-around skills for Iowa State. A dominating outside hitter last year, Henson has continued that offensive authority this year but has become a key player in the back court for the Cyclone defense. A team coach Christy Johnson-Lynch likes to say is ‘known for their defense’ now uses Henson to help the defensive vacuums in the back.

A Hoover in the back, Mass has been a consistent libero all three years at Iowa State. The Muskego, Wis., native became the fastest player in Iowa State history to reach 1,000 digs last year in her sophomore season and was named 2008, and 2009 Big 12 Libero of the Year. Having Mass as Iowa State’s defensive specialist has allowed the Cyclones to become the defensive-centered team Johnson-Lynch has always striven for. Mass never seems to be rattled or flustered on the court, but instead consistently posts double-digit numbers in digs game after game for the Cyclones.

Manns’ dedication and work ethic are in part, what allowed her to become an All-Central Region member as well as the Big 12’s leader in assists. With Manns leading the Cyclone squad the last four years, Iowa State has improved immensely as a unit, right alongside Manns’ individual improvements. Johnson-Lynch refers to Manns as ‘the perfect setter at the perfect time for Iowa State’, and that’s just what she has been as she led her team to the Elite Eight last year and fueled the Iowa State victories over Big 12 rivals Texas and Nebraska this season.