The ISU tennis team is getting into a groove on the court, although that can’t be seen by looking at the 3-9 record it has posted on the season.

The team has a chance to improve its record this weekend as it hits the road to face Oklahoma State and Oklahoma.

“The absolute goal is to win both,” said ISU coach Michele Conlon. “Last year I wouldn’t have said that – I would have told them to do their best.”

Lately the Cyclones have been playing well, but the team knows it is not at its best yet.

“The team is determined at this point in the season,” Conlon said. “They’re kicking it into gear to win individually.”

The team returned from Kansas last weekend having suffered defeats at the hands of Kansas and Kansas State. Although Kansas State dominated the Cyclones, the team had chances to win against the Jayhawks. Both times the team left empty-handed.

The losses gave the team a better idea of how to prepare for Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.

“We worked on drills and footwork,” Conlon said. “For a few people, they end up repeating previous drills; putting spin on the ball, being consistent, changing pace of the ball, height over the net. Each one has something to work on.”

Because of the nice weather, the Cyclones have been able to get outside and practice. All of the team’s practices have been indoors before now, yet some of the matches have been outdoors.

Practicing outside will help the players become better accustomed to judging other effects, such as the wind.

Sophomore Chrissy Derouin said playing against Kansas generates a positive competitive feeling for the team. Every bit of it will be needed this weekend.

“We’ll take that same feeling,” Derouin said.

“And try to win this weekend like we tried to last time [against Kansas].”

Oklahoma has lost five of its last six matches – the lone victory a non-conference win over intrastate rival Tulsa, 4-3.

Oklahoma is 1-5 in conference play, and 7-11 overall.

Oklahoma features Gabby Baker on the No. 1 court. Baker has a 8-9 record in duals this spring. Baker would face junior Jill Palen, who is 2-9 on the season.

Oklahoma State is 3-3 in conference play, and all three defeats have been home matches. Oklahoma State features Marta Tsivka, who has compiled a 12-3 record in spring duals, including a record of 9-2 on the No. 5 court. Tsivka would be matched up with senior Beth Chermel, who has not won a match this season.

Last season, Oklahoma State beat the Cyclones 7-0. This weekend’s matchup features a rematch of Iryna Tkachenko and Jill Palen, as Tkachenko beat Palen 6-0, 6-0 last season.

The Cyclones have only two more matches after this weekend, then prepare for the Big 12 tournament.