Win or lose, ISU tennis will do something April 24 in Fort Worth, Texas, at the Big 12 tournament that it has not done all season — play a conference opponent for a second time.

The ISU tennis team (9-13, 1-8 Big 12) drew Kansas in the first round matchup, a team that beat the Cyclones on March 14 in Ames in the first conference meet of the season.

ISU coach Armando Espinosa said that an important thing for his players to remember is that the meet April 24 will be nothing like the conference opener more than a month ago.

“It is going to be a different match,” Espinosa said. “We are playing outside and not indoors. Now that Sammy is back … we pull everybody down a spot.”

Espinosa was referring to freshman Samantha Budai, who played No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles all season but missed the match against Kansas due to injury.

Budai’s absence forced every player other than junior Ksenia Pronina — who plays at the No. 1 spot — to play against a better opponent than she will see April 24.

The lineup and the scenery are not the only differences between the meets. In tournament play, as soon as one team reaches four points and claims victory, the matches stop, regardless of how far along the teams are.

Espinosa said that this structure changes the way the matches will be approached and makes longevity a crucial aspect of success.

“The minute one team reaches four, it is over, so momentum swings are going to be important,” Espinosa said. “Even for the people who are losing, it is crucial to stay in the match as much as they can.”

Espinosa added that the doubles point will be the most important of the match for the Cyclones. If Iowa State can claim doubles victory, it can take a 2-0 lead with a win from Pronina at No. 1 singles, who has a successful history this year against Kansas.

Pronina found her one conference win of 2014 against Kansas, accounting for the only ISU point in the first matchup. If she is able to do it again, Espinosa said a doubles victory could be the boost his team needs to get over the hump.

Despite a 6-1 ISU loss in the first meeting, freshman and No. 6 singles player Talisa Merchiers has high hopes for round two.

“I think we have a great chance to win,” Merchiers said. “I would say 50/50.”

A win April 24 would be the first conference tournament victory for the Cyclones in school history, which Espinosa said serves as extra motivation for his players and would be a nice way to cap off a successful year.

“This year has been a lot of ups and downs, but overall it has been a great experience,” Budai said. “I do not regret any of it. It has been great.”

Iowa State takes to the court against Kansas 10 a.m. April 24.