The ISU tennis team will play host to North Dakota on Friday with the doubles matches set to begin at 11:00 a.m.

North Dakota has been an infrequent opponent of the Cyclones over the years, so there is little school rivalry to speak of. But ISU coach Armando Espinosa hinted that the competition might be more fiery than expected.

While the history between the two universities is limited, there are multiple personal histories that exist between players and coaches on both sides.

“I know quite a few of the girls,” Espinosa said. “One of the girls [Callie Ronkowski] wanted to come to Iowa State, but we didn’t have a scholarship for her. Now she’s their number one player.”

Ronkowski isn’t likely to be the only player on the North Dakota squad with a little extra incentive to bring it on Friday, Espinosa said.

“A lot of the girls going there were perhaps looking at Iowa State and we turned them down,” Espinosa said. “They’ll be coming for blood a little bit.”

Adding another layer of intrigue to the contest is Samantha Budai, freshman and No. 2 singles player for the Cyclones, who has head-to-head experience against one of the North Dakota players from her days north of the border.

“I actually know a girl on the team,” said Budai. “Mikaela Bennett. She’s from Canada. I played against her at nationals a couple years ago and won. I don’t know if I’ll be playing her, it depends on their line-up.”

North Dakota was swept by the Golden Gophers of Minnesota Jan. 26 in Minneapolis, but Espinosa said he expects a strong effort as North Dakota players have motivation even beyond whatever bad blood might exist.

“They’re not in a power conference, and every time a team like that plays a Big 12 school, they’re going to play tough,” said Espinosa. “They’re going to come after us because getting an upset over [a Big 12 team] would be great for them.”

Iowa State is coming off a perfect weekend in which they swept both Southeast Missouri State and Nebraska-Omaha at home Jan. 24.

Keeping the momentum rolling is the goal for the Cyclones Friday against North Dakota, Budai said.

“These meets help us prepare, and we don’t take them lightly,” Budai said. “We want to build a good record and get prepared for some stronger teams, like the ones in the Big 12.”