The ISU women’s tennis team got off to a great start to its season last weekend, cleaning up the 2005 Lloyd Stockstad Invitational at Drake University in Des Moines, and will try to build on the success this weekend in Columbia, Mo.

Last weekend, singles and doubles matches were played between Creighton, Drake, Iowa State, Nebraska, Nebraska-Omaha, Northern Colorado, Northern Iowa and Wisconsin-Green Bay.

Junior Jill Palen finished the tournament undefeated in both singles and doubles. Palen beat Meghana Paritala of UNI 6-2, 2-6 (8) to win the singles bracket. Palen was able to overcome previous opponents who defeated her last year.

“I went into the tournament feeling good both physically and mentally and I was able to maintain a strong focus throughout the tournament,” she said.

By staying relaxed and knowing what to expect from her opponents, she was able to defeat them, Palen said.

Some other strong Cyclone tennis players include freshman Kara Hickey and sophomore Chrissy Derouin. Hickey started her first tournament as a Cyclone by defeating Amy Pierson of Creighton 6-1, 6-1, and Megan Gregory of Wisconsin Green Bay 6-1, 6-1. Derouin defeated Jodi Yanagida of Creighton, 6-2, 6-0, and Kari Sloboth of Drake 6-4, 6-2.

The Cyclones’ success was rewarding and promising, despite being their first tournament of the season, Palen said. She said she thinks the success from the tournament will give the players confidence that will help them maintain their success throughout the next couple tournaments.

The team’s next goal is its upcoming tournament this weekend. Iowa State will be on the lookout for several key players, including Arkansas’ Aurelija Miseviciute and Ela Kaluder, who remain undefeated. Jessica Simosa takes No.1 singles and Tamar Kvaratskhelia takes the No. 2 spot for Kansas State. Lubica Nadasska and Hana Kraftova, from Missouri, won the doubles title at the Mizzou Three-Way Tournament in Columbia last weekend.

Although the tournament may be more challenging than the last, it will set the tone for the rest of the year and test the strength of the Cyclones.

“Everyone has little individual goals they hope to accomplish and as a team – we just want to go out there and play quality tennis and have fun,” Palen said.

Coach Michele Conlon said each tournament will be more challenging every weekend.

“This is great because we want to be challenged all of the time,” Conlon said. “The team needs to carry their momentum throughout the season. Competing against tough teams and being challenged will help the team’s confidence and mental side of the game.”