The ISU women’s tennis team faced tough competition and cold weather conditions last weekend at the Wildcat Invitational in Evanston, Ill.

The Wildcat Invitational was the team’s toughest competition this fall, with teams such as Northwestern and Depaul making the competition hard for the Cyclones.

Northwestern is ranked No. 5 in the nation.

“Through the three tournaments, we have definitely gotten stronger over the fall,” said ISU coach Michele Conlon.

“This is good because I feel like we’ve gotten a lot of wins under our belt this fall, which is good. But we also have had great competition and lost some matches, which is always healthy.”

With cold weather conditions, the team had to stay focused and be prepared, Conlon said.

The high in Evanston on Friday was a high of 53 degrees and a low 43. On Saturday, it was a high of 59 degrees and low of 46

“We need to learn to deal with those situations,” she said.

The team spent 10- to 12-hour days on the courts with extremely cold weather.

She said the first thing the players need to do is prepare, and secondly they need to keep in mind the effects of the weather. In cold weather, the chill influences the equipment considerably, compared to playing in ideal conditions.

The team doesn’t have to face these cold weather conditions very often; however, players must be ready for the conditions when they do come, Conlon said.

“The cold weather made for very long days,” said senior Elizabeth Chermel.

“We had to stay focused and in the right mind frame because we never knew when we were going to go on the court.”

To wrap up the fall season, the team plays at regionals in Salt Lake City beginning Oct. 19 and continuing through Oct. 23. The Cyclones are preparing to send four players to regionals.

Chermel, juniors Danielle Uscinski and Jill Palen, and freshman Kara Hickey are scheduled to make an appearance at regionals.

Chermel and Hickey will team up for doubles. They are 10-2 in doubles this fall.

“Kara and I have played well together in doubles and we are very confident playing in regionals,” Chermel said.

Uscinski is injured and was unable to play at the Wildcat Invitational.

“We all hope Danielle will be recovered and ready to play in regionals on Oct. 19,” Conlon said.

Uscinski, Hickey and Chermel will try to qualify Oct. 19 to get into the main draw.

The three players need to win two rounds that day in order to get in the Oct. 20 main draw. Conlon said Palen is an automatic qualifier for the main draw.

“In general, the big picture of the fall has had a lot of positives in it,” Conlon said. “The team has made great improvements and they are excited for the spring season.”