In its final showdown of the calendar year, the ISU tennis team will travel to Kalamazoo, Mich., to battle in the Western Michigan Super Challenge on Friday through Sunday.

The Cyclone women will attempt to cap off a strong fall campaign and build on a season full of positives.

“As a team we are feeling fine. We have had lots of time to practice and have been able to transition well between meets,” said coach Armando Espinosa.

For the first time in more than a month, the Cyclones will be in action. Most recently at the Air Force Invite on Oct. 3-5, the team saw strong play from a young, deep roster. 

Freshman Emma Waites has proven to have skills beyond her years as she garnered three singles match victories and teamed with Jenna Langhorst to form a doubles pair that battled all the way to the tournament finals.

Espinosa said this is what the fall season is for. Though it does not have any bearing on the team record or national rankings, the autumn contests act as a barometer of individual talent and potential for the team.

“We have young players that are growing and adapting. We want them to fit in to what we are trying to do,” Espinosa said. 

One of the team goals for the fall has been complete team involvement. Espinosa will guide eight players to Kalamazoo, as he hopes to get every player on the team at least two tournaments under her belt before winter.

The Super Challenge will feature teams from across the Midwest, including 2010 NCAA qualifiers DePaul and Indiana. Iowa State will open with doubles action Friday against the aforementioned Hoosiers and face off against host Western Michigan in the opening round of the singles tournament. 

The weekend will also feature doubles meets against Louisville, Wisconsin and DePaul, as well as singles contests versus Indiana and DePaul.