The ISU tennis team finished its fall season this past weekend after competing in six tournaments in a variety of locations.

According to coach Armando Espinosa, the most impressive thing from the season was the team’s record since a majority of the players returned from tournaments losing only one match.

“Regardless of the level of competition, if you have a winning percentage you are doing something right,” Espinosa said.

Although the team had a winning percentage in singles matches, Espinosa believes they still have work to do in the doubles pairings. He feels that it is essential for the team to improve in doubles in order to compete at the higher level needed for the spring season.

For, Emma Waites, ISU’s only senior, she also felt the fall season went well, and in some aspects, even better than she initially thought. Since she had an internship this past summer, she was not able to practice as much as she would have preferred.

“By taking advantage of the extra hitting opportunities that the coaches presented us, I got to work on things specific to my game and focus more on my game plan individually,” Waites said.

Although the season went better than she expected, Waites’ biggest challenge was overcoming her nerves.

“As a senior it’s my last opportunity to perform well and make an impact on the team,” she said. “In order for me to do that, I have to put my nerves aside and just play the game to the best of my ability.”

Waites believes that by working on her confidence in her game plan and knowing who she is as a tennis player, she will be able to overcome these nerves for the spring season.

Espinosa also feels it is important for the team to know who they are as tennis players regardless of whom they are competing against.

Waites expects the spring competition to be tough, however also feels the Cyclones will be ready to compete.

“We have a lot of talent and I am excited to see what the spring will bring for the team and for me as a senior,” Waites said.

Although Waites feels the team will be ready to compete, Espinosa recognizes there is still work that has to be done from now until the beginning of the spring season.

“The challenge is always coming back prepared to compete within a week of school starting, so we need to make sure that the player’s game stays sharp through the holidays,” Espinosa said.

The Cyclones will resume competition on Jan. 17 in Fort Myers, Fla. for the Florida Gulf Coast Invitational.