The ISU tennis team hopes to ride the recent waves of momentum to the coast of Hawaii.

Before the team leaves for Honolulu, however, they must face a Colorado team that is 1-2 in conference play and 7-4 overall. Colorado defeated the Cyclones last year, 7-0. Colorado also has Monica Milewski, the No. 55 ranked woman in single’s play. Rankings are listed up to the top 100 players in the nation. The Cyclones have yet to have any individual qualify in the top 100.

Kara Hickey will face Milewski on the No. 2 court. Hickey has won her last two matches, including a win over the Horizon League’s women’s tennis player of the week Callan Smith last weekend.

The Cyclones hope to end their 36-game conference losing streak before hopping on the plane to Hawaii.

Then come beaches, sunshine and matches against the University of Hawaii, University of Wyoming and Washington State University. Washington State is ranked for the first time this season at No. 73 after a 5-2 victory over Boise State University this week.

Wyoming is fresh off a 4-3 loss to Air Force, and is now 6-4 on the season. Hawaii is 0-10 on the season – all games that have been on the road. Facing Iowa State will be the first of 12 consecutive home matches for Hawaii.

Each Cyclone has enjoyed a single’s victory this season except for senior Elizabeth Chermel. She has been working hard in practice this week in hopes of ending a career-worst slide.

“I’ve been working on being more consistent,” Chermel said. “My first-serve percentage needs to be better.”

Chermel has had trouble getting her powerful serve over the net consistently, so opponents have been teeing off on her second serve. She has, however, developed great chemistry with Hickey, her double’s partner.

“It has helped playing consecutive matches in a weekend,” Chermel said. “We knew what we needed to work on because it was still be fresh in our minds.”

If that is the case, the back-to-back matches in Honolulu should provide great results for Chermel and Hickey.

The Cyclones need to overcome the hump of playing conference teams, although seemingly being able to handle non-conference play. Playing Colorado right before the team travels to Hawaii appears as an ideal pitfall.

Caitlin Loprinzi returns to action this weekend, as well, listed to play on the No. 6 court in single’s play against Colorado. She has been rehabilitating from wrist surgery on both wrists, and took part in an exhibition match against University of Illinios at Chicago last week.

The match against Colorado starts at 4 p.m. at the Ames Racquet and Fitness Center on S. 17th Street. Admission is free.

ISU coach Michele Conlon was not available for comment.