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Iowa State University Athletics
ISU Tennis To Play Three Matches In Des Moines
03.05.2015 | Tennis
DES MOINES, Iowa- The Iowa State tennis team will compete in three matches in two days this weekend in Des Moines. The Cyclones (3-5, 0-1 Big 12) will take on in-state rival Drake to kick off the weekend on Friday, before facing Wyoming and UMKC on Saturday.
“I think we have a good chance to win all three,” head coach Armando Espinosa said. “I think we're going to have to be different teams every time.”
Senior Meghan Cassens looks to extend her win streak at No. 3 singles. The two-time ISU Scholar Athlete has currently defeated four opponents in a row. Since February 18, the Tacoma, Washington, native has defeated opponents from then No. 33-ranked Oklahoma at home, Minnesota and Marquette on the road, and Milwaukee at home.
Espinosa has been pleased with the top of the lineup lately, despite wins being denied due to the new Big 12 clinching policy stating that once the match is clinched at 4 points, play will end.
“I think they're putting the team on their shoulders because they know that their spot is really important,” Espinosa said. “I think that what they are doing at one through four has been very good.”
The Cyclones have also been facing adversity while trying to keep players healthy and ready to compete. Junior Ana Gasparovic has been benched the last few matches with a hand injury, but may get the chance to return soon.
“If [Ana Gasparovic] is able to play, things are going to change a little bit with personnel,” Espinosa said. “If she does play, then it gives us another person to not be as tired against the UMKC match or even the Wyoming match.”
Senior Caroline Andersen and sophomore Natalie Phippen have stepped up to the plate in the absence of Gasparovic, playing at No. 5 and 6 singles.
“I think at [No. 5 and 6], we're getting better,” Espinosa said. “It's kind of hard when Caroline hasn't played a singles match in her career and you're asking her to go out there and step up and play, and Natalie as a walk-on to step up and play in the top six, it's a difficult task and they're doing their best. It's not an easy feat to achieve.”
Each team is heading into the weekend with a recent win on the schedule. Drake is currently 9-3 on the spring season, most recently taking down Milwaukee, 7-0.
“We have to be a little bit more mentally tough to prepare for the Drake match," Espinosa said. "Wyoming, we'll already have a match under our belts, so the courts shouldn't be an issue. That one's going to be more about just playing tennis, and the third one we're just going to be battling fatigue.”
Wyoming defeated Illinois State, 7-0, on February 21 and stands at 4-4. UMKC is 4-5 overall, and recently earned a 4-3 win over Bradley.
Play is set to begin at the Roger Knapp Tennis Center at 10 a.m. on Friday.
Follow @CycloneTEN on Twitter and Iowa State Tennis on Facebook for more updates!
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