AMES, Iowa - If you haven't already noticed, the Iowa State fall sport teams are off to an impressive start to the 2009-10 season. A total of four teams are rated in the top-25 of their respective sports national rankings, a feat that is believed to be a fall season first for the Cyclones.

Additionally, the Cyclones' four nationally rated teams - women's cross country, volleyball, men's cross country and women's golf ? puts it in select company. Only 15 schools in Division 1A can claim four nationally ranked squads and just Stanford, Cal, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Oregon and Virginia can boast of more than four.

Women's cross country (No. 8, United States Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association poll), men's cross country (No. 16, United States Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association poll), volleyball (No. 14, American Volleyball Coaches Association poll) and women's golf (No. 23, Golfstat poll) have brought national exposure for the Cyclones with their fast starts.

“Our fall student-athletes and coaches should be saluted for a great start to the 2009-10 season,” Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard said. “Winning can become contagious and our fall teams are setting a great pace for our entire athletics program.”

The women's cross country team is fresh off a victory at the Roy Griak Invitational last weekend, helping them leap 20 spots to No. 8 in the national poll. Senior Lisa Koll was named Big 12 Cross Country Runner of the Week after finishing second as an individual at the meet. The men's cross country team made it a Cyclone sweep with a victory of its own at the event. Senior Guor Marial also received Big 12 Cross Country Runner of the Week honors after finishing runner-up as an individual. ISU had never previously won the men's and women's races in the same year at the Griak Invite.

The volleyball team continues to roll under the guidance of fifth-year head coach Christy Johnson-Lynch. The Cyclones achieved their highest rating in school history earlier in the year at No. 10 and have jumped out to an 11-3 overall record. Senior setter Kaylee Manns is leading the nation in assists (12.24 apg) and libero Ashley Mass has been named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week three times this fall.

The women's golf team has started strong this year with a pair of top-five finishes in two tournaments so far. ISU senior Pennapa Pulsawath has placed in the top-10 individually in both tournaments, helping the Cyclones achieve their highest rating in years at No. 23 according to Golfstat.

Not to get lost in the shuffle is the Cyclone football team, which currently has a 3-1 mark, its best start since 2005.