Tennis finds success over weekend

Travis Cordes

The ISU tennis team finished another successful tournament Sunday when it wrapped up play in the Missouri Invitational. The Cyclones saw many highlights over the course of the three-day tournament, which included matches against Missouri, Illinois State and Saint Louis University.

Because of inclement weather in Columbia, doubles matches were canceled Sunday.

The Cyclones finished the tournament with an 11-10 singles record, because of outstanding play by sophomore Kara Hickey and senior Danielle Uscinski. Each went undefeated in singles play throughout the weekend, with Hickey going 3-0 and Uscinski 2-0. Freshman Alyssa Palen, junior Caitlin Loprinzi and senior Jill Palen also played strong, each finishing the weekend with a 2-1 record.

Hickey, who was competing in front of friends and family in her hometown of Columbia, also teamed up with Jill Palen to split their four doubles matches. The tandem of Uscinski and senior Eve Soriano also played well for the Cyclones, posting a 3-1 doubles record in the tournament.

In the overall standings, Iowa State won its mock dual matches over Illinois State (5-4) and Saint Louis (6-5), but failed to topple Big 12 foe Missouri, dropping eight of 13 matches against the Tigers.

The Cyclones will now switch focus to their final contest of the fall, the ITA Regionals, which kicks off today in Tulsa, Okla.

The team will have six players competing in the five-day tournament that concludes on Sunday.