The ISU tennis team heads to Rochester, Minn. this weekend to take on the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Wisconsin-Green Bay (1-1) is a member of the Horizon League and is coming off a close win against Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. The last time Iowa State faced a Horizon League opponent, it defeated the 10-time conference champion University of Illinois-Chicago in the 2006 season by a match count of 6-1.

After facing ranked opponents the past two weekends, the Cyclones come into this match as the heavy favorite. Coach Michele Conlon, however, is not looking past this week’s matchup.

“I think that as you go through the season, it’s important to keep an even-keel approach to every match,” Conlon said. “This is the most important match of the season right now because it’s the next match – we won’t prepare any differently for Wisconsin-Green Bay than we would for No. 20 Texas.”

The players see this as just another match they can use to improve on their personal game play.

That being said, junior Caitlin Loprinzi admits it is somewhat of a relief to have a breather and to be able to compete against a team that gives little more margin of error.

“We can’t overlook them, but we know they’re not a Texas or an Iowa, and it will be nice to not have to play someone ranked in the top 20 in the nation,” Loprinzi said.

The dual this Saturday is being held in Rochester, Minn. and will serve as a homecoming match for Loprinzi. The match is actually going to be played at the same tennis club at which Loprinzi grew up learning to play.

“I’m really excited,” Loprinzi said. “Especially to go home and be able to play in front of all the tennis people that work there [Rochester Indoor Tennis Club] and the people that I’ve pretty much known my entire life.”