The new season began, and the Cyclones have begun to feel ready to move on in competition.

The first tournament of the spring season and the match against Iowa are behind them, and the ISU tennis team heads into many more matches. 

For coach Armando Espinosa, it is less about the individual matches than the big picture.

“I think we are just looking for the long term and what were going to do to prepare for the Big 12 Conference,” Espinosa said.

Although Espinosa has felt that the team could possibly be a bit further along, he is happy with the progress made thus far.

Some minor injuries, returning or sore players have caused small setbacks and kept some players from receiving the practice time Espinosa had hoped for.

With a loss in the first match against Iowa as well, the team is hoping for more wins soon, but Espinosa said losing to Iowa is no embarrassment because it is a great team.

“I would have liked to be a little farther ahead, but it is what it is; we just need to focus on what we have. I think it is going to be a very exciting season; it’s just a matter of getting through the first few little bumps,” Espinosa said.

Looking forward in the season, Espinosa said there’s no real game plan for each match. His goal is to improve playing and fundamentals.

“If we’re doing what we’re supposed to be doing, then whether it’s Marquette or whether it’s Baylor, it’s going to work,” Espinosa said. “What we’ve been doing the most is just emphasizing the fundamentals. … We just need to make them play, we need to make them hit the winners and just stay focused and keep the energy up.’ ”

Caroline Hauge Andersen said the season has started out well, and that each day the team grows more positive and enthusiastic. All the players need is the extra push that more matches and experience bring to the game.

“I think it’s going great, we just need more results,” Andersen said.

Ksenia Pronina also feels that experience and results are where the team is lacking, and it is a little early to see where the team is headed.

“We only had one meet and we lost, so not that much has happened yet,” Pronina said. “But we had a weekend off now and we have been preparing ourselves now for the next meets, and we hope we’re going to do better.”