Outdoor tennis brings many conditions that change the game from that of indoor play.

This weekend, the ISU tennis team returns to Florida to face Stetson and Florida Gulf Coast for another taste of outdoor play in preparation for upcoming Big 12 matches.

“We just need to get a little bit more used to playing outside; it’s kind of more of a preparation to the future matches,” said coach Armando Espinosa.

The majority of Big 12 play will take place outside in April and the Cyclones hope to be hosting outdoor matches in Ames.

Outdoor play makes for slower points, wind and sun, all of which have a heavy impact on serves and overall play. As a team in Iowa, the Cyclones are usually unable to train in such elements.

“It’s completely different to play outside than inside,” said Caroline Hauge Andersen. “We’re just not that used to that in Ames and I think that is probably going to be the main challenge.”

As the Cyclones return to Florida to gain more outdoor experience, they face a team they have faced already this spring: Florida Gulf Coast.

“We were in Florida earlier in the season so I think we are a little bit more prepared,” said Jenna Langhorst. “We have seen some of the girls play from Florida Gulf Coast, so I think it will be good for us.”

Although unsure what to expect from Stetson, Andersen feels confident about their chances against Florida Gulf Coast.

“We beat them before in the first tournament in Florida so I think we have a great shot — if we just play as good as we can — to win,” Andersen said.

The team feels better prepared for its two matches in Florida than when it arrived for its first tournament this spring season.

The team has since had many practices and matches, in which it has been working a lot on endurance training.

“I think just having a couple matches under our belt we are learning what works and what doesn’t,” Langhorst said. “We have been running a lot more, so I think we are a lot stronger and faster and we will be able to stay out there longer for points.”

The Cyclones have also reconsidered their doubles pairings to prepare for this weekend.

“We understand the importance of the doubles a little bit more. If we had won the doubles points against Marquette, we would have won the match, so it’s very important for us to get a little bit better with doubles,” Espinosa said.

The Cyclones return to Florida this weekend playing Stetson in DeLand, Fla., on Feb. 15 and Florida Gulf Coast in Fort Myers, Fla., on Feb. 17.