After the longest resting period of the season, the ISU tennis team returns to the court Saturday to face conference opponent Nebraska. The Cyclones (5-5, 0-4 in the Big 12) are currently without a win in conference play and aim to change that against the No. 75 ranked Cornhuskers (8-5, 1-4).

Iowa State, who last played on March 15, brings well rested and eager players to compete Saturday after the extended hiatus. Coach Michele Conlon gave the team several days rest after the Spring Break trip to the Carolinas, giving the players a chance to recharge their batteries.

“Tennis has a very early schedule,” Conlon said. “We go hard at it in the fall for 10 weeks in addition to the spring, they really need the rest. So we took a few days off and they came back very enthusiastically.”

Nebraska, typically a team that finishes near the top of the Big 12, has struggled greatly in conference play this season. The uncharacteristic losses may be attributed to the inexperience of this year’s Cornhusker team. Returning only one player from the previous season, Nebraska has had to rely on underclassmen and two transfer players.

The Cyclones are still searching for their first conference win and hope to capitalize on the youth and inexperience of the Cornhuskers. The possibility of a home dual being played outdoors usually means more fans in attendance and a better playing atmosphere.

“It’s always fun to play at home in front of our friends and family,” senior Jill Palen said. “And if they [Nebraska] are that young, maybe we can pull out a win and put on a good show.”

Palen has played in the No. 1 singles position all year and will face the returning Cornhusker from last year’s team that knocked the 2006 Cyclones out of the Big 12 tournament. Iowa State is 3-31 versus Nebraska all-time, having lost the previous four meetings. Nebraska began the season ranked No. 46 in the nation and have gradually fallen to their current rank of No. 75, which they hold in a four-way tie with Cornell, Maryland and Troy.