Losing to a rival hurts, but getting a shot at redemption four days later at the conference tournament might ease the pain.

The ISU tennis team opens the Big 12 tournament this Thursday against Kansas.

Iowa State (8-14, 1-8 Big 12) heads into the tournament as the No. 9 seed and will play No. 8-seeded Jayhawks (10-9, 2-7) with the winner slated to take on No. 1 Baylor on Friday.

The Cyclones’ draw comes just four days after their 4-3 loss to the Jayhawks to end the Big 12 regular season.

“We never like losing to Kansas,” said senior Simona Cacciuttolo. “Since we just played them and we’re so close with them, we definitely feel like we can win. We’ve also had a good couple of days to practice so we can get back out there and play.”

Cacciuttolo is one of four current players with experience at the Big 12 tournament. Ksenia Pronina, Meghan Cassens and Jenna Langhorst have also competed in the past, but Langhorst is the only player on the team to have registered a victory at the tournament.

Langhorst defeated Missouri’s Jamie Mera in three sets at last year’s tournament.

“Having the experience definitely helps. Last year was super competitive and we were right there,” Langhorst said. “The Big 12s are a lot different since you have to go out there and hang as long as you can if you’re down.”

Meets at the Big 12 tournament are scored differently than regular season meets: All three doubles matches are still played and all six singles matches are still played, but that does not mean that all the matches will be finished.

Instead of all the games counting as a point, the first to four points wins.

In other words: The wins need to be quick and the losses need to be prolonged.

Coach Armando Espinosa understands that having four players that have experience playing against the clock as well as an opponent will be crucial.

“It’s important that they take advantage of that [experience],” Espinosa said. “When you’re at the conference tournament and you’re playing against time as much as you are the opponent, it’s important to know that you can not lose fast. You have to keep putting pressure on your opponent.”

This means that the Cyclones will have to come out quick, something Espinosa has been working on throughout the season.

“Getting out quick is huge. We’ve been coming out strong in doubles, but the problem is we’re not sustaining that speed,” Espinosa said. “We get ahead, but we’re not able to adjust to the other team. The doubles point is huge because the minute you get down a point, you’re stuck. There’s no time to waste.”

The Big 12 tournament will be played  April 25-28, 2013, at Headington Family Tennis Center in Norman, Okla.