Cyclones hope to keep momentum against Kansas, Kansas State

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Photo:Zhenru Zhang/Iowa State Daily

Maria Macedo takes a swing on Mar. 4, at Ames Racquet & Fitness Center.

Clint Cole

Fresh off of its first Big 12 victory last weekend against Colorado, the ISU tennis team is hoping to keep its momentum going into this weekend as it comes back home for two meets.

The Cyclones (10-8, 1-3 Big 12) will host the Kansas Jayhawks (6-8, 0-4) on Friday and the Kansas State Wildcats (11-3, 2-2) on Sunday. The common theme for the Cyclones so far this year is not knowing whether they will be playing inside or outside.

“We are more suited inside,” coach Armando Espinosa said. “Aside from facing some good competition from Kansas State and Kansas, I think the biggest thing is going to be the adjustments of knowing whether we’re going to play inside or outside.”

So far this season, the Cyclones have taken the doubles point in three of their first four Big 12 matches.

“If we can continue with that momentum and keep getting the edge in the doubles, then I think we can release the pressure from the singles a little bit,” Espinosa said.

Kansas hasn’t won a doubles point through its Big 12 schedule and has been routed 6-1 in all four of the contests. The Jayhawks have defeated the Cyclones in 33 consecutive matches, including last year by a score of 4-3 in Lawrence, Kan.

Kansas State is the No. 31 team in the nation going into this weekend, which is the highest tennis ranking in school history. The team has taken doubles points in two of its first four Big 12 matches. The Wildcats defeated the Cyclones last season by a score of 4-3 in Ames.

ISU junior Maria Macedo has won two doubles matches this year with her partner, junior Tessa Lang, at the No. 1 spot. Macedo also won her singles match against Colorado in two straight sets at the No. 2 spot and will be trying to do the same this weekend whether the match is inside or outside.

“It’s important that I try to do my game no matter the conditions,” Macedo said. “Whatever comes, I have to deal with it and win.”

The Cyclones will take on the Kansas Jayhawks at 2:30 p.m. Friday and the Kansas State Wildcats at noon Sunday.