Cyclones Ready For Road Test This Weekend

TEN_Header_8 Tennis Header vs. Nebraska

AMES, Iowa - The Iowa State tennis team (4-2, 1-0 Big 12) travels to Lincoln, Neb. this weekend for matchups against No. 31 Washington State (10-2, 0-0 Pac 12) and Nebraska (8-6, 0-0 Big Ten). The Cyclones square off with the Cougars Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and the Cornhuskers Sunday at 11 a.m. Both matches will be played at the Dillon Tennis Center.

Iowa State enters the weekend led by their strong doubles play this season. The Cyclones have only surrendered one doubles point so far this season. The duo of Maty Cancini and Annabella Bonadonna are 16-4 this season and have won 11 of their last 13 matches.

"We talk about energy and aggression," head coach Boomer Saia said. "We come at people, we don't let people come at us."

With Washington State and Nebraska both having ranked individuals, the focus on doubles will be even more important. Washington State has two ranked in the latest ITA rankings. Michaela Bayerlova and Melisa Ates check in at No. 35 and 106, respectively.

Bayerlova plays primarily in the No. 1 singles spot while Ates has seen action in the No. 4, 5 and 6 spots this season.

Iowa State will face one ranked individual against Nebraska. Vasanti Shinde ranks No. 103 in the country and plays primarily in the No. 1 and 2 singles slots.

The Matchup: Iowa State (4-2, 1-0 Big 12) vs. No. 31 Washington State (10-2, 0-0 Pac 12)
Where: Lincoln, Neb. - Dillon Tennis Center
When: Saturday, March 2, 4:30 p.m.
Live Stream: http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=100&ATCLID=211695006

The Matchup: Iowa State (4-2, 1-0 Big 12) vs. Nebraska (8-6, 0-0 Big 10)
Where: Lincoln, Neb. - Dillon Tennis Center
When: Sunday, March 3, 11 a.m.
Live Stats: http://www.huskers.com/fls/100/19WTennis/isu/xlive.htm
Live Stream: http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=100&ATCLID=211695006

CONFIDENCE IS KEY
Iowa State has slowly been gaining confidence throughout the season under a first-year head coach. With a 4-2 record, Saia is starting to see the Cyclones implement things from practice into their matches.

"I think [the players] are becoming more confident in themselves, which is a big part of tennis," Saia said. " They've been sponges and they've learned quite a lot when we've tried to teach them and they are starting to adapt and incorporate the things from practice so that has been really go to see."

PLAYER TO WATCH
Maty Cancini will likely see ranked opponents in both matches this weekend, but the junior is no stranger to tough opponents. In her run to to the quarterfinals of ITA Regionals in the fall, Cancini upset then No. 73 Marina Guinart of Oklahoma State.

The Valencia, Venezuela native has a 33-15 overall record this season.

LAST TIME OUT
Iowa State had a perfect day against Omaha last weekend, downing the Mavericks, 7-0. The Cyclones were hot from the start, dominating the No. 1 and 3 doubles matches to clinch the first point.

The momentum carried into singles play where the Cyclones didn't drop a match. Ekaterina Repina didn't drop a single game in route to a 6-0, 6-0 victory in the No. 4 slot. Maty Cancini dropped only one win in the No. 1 match, winning 6-0, 6-1.

HOW TO FOLLOW
Follow the links above for access to live stream and live stats. Links will also be available on Twitter on match day. Recaps will also be posted at Cyclones.com at the conclusion of each dual.

Keep up with the Iowa State tennis team by following Cyclone Tennis on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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Players Mentioned

Annabella Bonadonna

Maty Cancini

Ekaterina Repina

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics