The ISU tennis team will close out the regular season schedule this weekend with matches against No. 14 Baylor and Texas Tech. The Cyclones (5-10, 0-9) first travel to Waco, Texas to face the Big 12 leading Bears at noon Saturday.

Baylor (18-6, 9-1) has hit its stride after an uncharacteristic early season conference loss to Colorado. Winning their last 10 matches, the Bears are poised to win their fourth Big 12 regular season championship in the last five seasons.

Iowa State has a chance to play spoiler to Baylor’s championship aspirations and in doing so would be the first Cyclone squad to defeat the Bears since the creation of the Big 12 conference.

Far from being intimidated, ISU players look forward to the chance to play against

the high caliber program of Baylor.

“We obviously know they’re good,” junior Caitlin Loprinzi said. “But we have nothing to lose, which sometimes means you can step up and play extraordinarily well.”

Following the Baylor match, the Cyclones will travel almost 400 miles across Texas to Lubbock to face Texas Tech (9-10, 2-7). The Red are reeling coming into their last Big 12 match, going 0-14 in matches last week against in-state opponents Baylor and Texas A&M.

Iowa State will attempt to take advantage of Texas Tech’s losing streak, while at the same time trying to end their own six-game skid. One advantage Iowa State brings into the equation this weekend is the fact that they have been able to practice outside for the first time this season.

In previous trips south, the Cyclones have had to adapt in a day or less to outdoor conditions.

“It’s harder to go from inside to out than outside to in,” sophomore Kara Hickey said. “It’s definitely helped to be able to practice outside, to be able to practice in what we play in. It has also been a nice release to finally be out with the sun on your face.”

Freshman Alyssa Palen has won either a singles or doubles match in the past five matches and hopes to continue her streak this weekend. Iowa State lost last year to Texas Tech 5-2 in Ames and trail 0-12 in

head-to-head matches.

Iowa State vs. Baylor

When: Noon Saturday

Where: Baylor Tennis Center, Waco, Texas

Iowa State vs. Texas Tech

When: 10 a.m. Sunday

Where: McLeod Tennis Center, Lubbock, Texas