Trying to overcome seven years of not winning a Big 12 meet is what is pushing the ISU women’s tennis team to work harder than ever this year to overcome that discouraging deficit.

“Everybody has a different mentality this year — we know we are good enough to win and we have more confidence,” sophomore Erin Karonis said.

The team feels it has a lot to work toward this year, and while waiting for its first Big 12 win, Iowa State has had success in the non-conference season. Iowa State is 5-3 so far on the season.

“We have a lot of depth in our team — everyone is competing for their spot and we have a great support system which makes for great team dynamics,” junior Alyssa Palen said.

The Cyclones had their first shot at beating a Big 12 team last Sunday at Nebraska.

Karonis said they had many chances to win over the Cornhuskers, with some players coming very close, but couldn’t pull through, losing 5-2.

“Our team is more nervous at a Big 12 match. There are a lot of spectators in a loud environment. The level of play is definitely higher,” sophomore Liza Wischer said.

One thing that could set this team apart from other years is the addition of new head coach Armando Espinosa.

Espinosa worked as an assistant coach for the team last season and previously coached at Oregon and Marquette.

Another thing that could help set the team apart, Espinosa said, is putting thoughts of the past behind it.

“We have five new freshmen this year with no mentality of losing,” Espinosa said.

Members of the team insist the attitude is different from last year.

“Everything is different than last year. We have improved a lot, and the conditioning part of practice has changed. We have a better team with more talent,” Wischer said.

The Cyclones travel to Chicago on Saturday to play Illinois-Chicago and will host UMKC on Sunday. Their next chance at a Big 12 win will be Kansas State on March 13.