Senior Maria Macedo has been stuck in the No. 2 and 3 spots for most of her collegiate tennis career.

That is until this year, when she finally claimed the top spot on the team.

“I’m pretty excited about it,” Macedo said. “I’ve always wanted to play [as] No. 1, it was always my goal. It’s exciting because you get to play some of the best girls out there.”

The senior from Mexico City also said playing at the No. 2 slot has prepared her for this year.

Macedo has a combined record of 95-83 in her collegiate career, which ranks 10th all-time for career wins in school history. She went 18-12 last year while posting a 5-6 record in Big 12 play, which tied her record from the previous year for Iowa State’s third-best single-season record in conference play.

Coach Armando Espinosa said Macedo can handle the responsibility of the top spot.

“Last year, we kind of gave her a little bit of a chance to experience what it was to play No. 1 and we played her at No. 2 a few times,” Espinosa said. “I think she’s ready to make that transition. She’s experienced enough, she’s played three years [and] she’s seen what it takes to play at that level.”

Along with team goals, Macedo has some individual goals she would like to accomplish this year.

“I want to win as many matches as I can, improve my record from last year and I want to be ranked,” Macedo said. “I have a chance because I’m playing a lot of ranked girls and if I beat them I will have a ranking. I think that’s my main goal this year.”

Macedo has partnered up with fellow senior Tessa Lang in doubles play for most of her career. The pair went 19-12 in doubles in the 2009-10 season and set the ISU record for most conference doubles wins at 7-4. The following year, they posted a 12-16 mark.

“As a teammate, she’s awesome to practice with,” Lang said. “Every day she brings all her energy and is very positive on the court and very supportive of everyone on the team, and as a team leader she’s positive to be with on and off the court.”

Espinosa said the team has the potential to have a very successful season, mostly because of how much experience there is on the team. Besides Macedo, there are three other seniors and she is one of the leaders of the team.

“She’s not gonna be your vocal leader out there,” Espinosa said of Macedo. “She leads a little bit more with example, we just need to make sure that we keep her focused into what we should be doing and hopefully she can lead the team in that direction.”