After a disappointing regular season that saw the Cyclones fail to win a conference meet, the ISU tennis team will attempt to turn the tide and score an upset at the Big 12 tournament in Austin, Texas.

The team takes to the courts for its chance to upset Texas Tech at 10 a.m. Thursday.

Texas Tech (14-11, 8-3 Big 12) is the No. 5 seed in the tournament, and Iowa State sits at No. 12. The Cyclones had their first crack at the Red Raiders this season on March 25 in Lubbock, Texas, but were shut out 7-0.

The women said the score was deceiving.

“Everyone had close matches, so they are within our reach,” said No. 1 Cyclone Jill Palen.

The Cyclone women are getting especially riled up for the upcoming match because of the rivalry between the two teams, saying the Lady Raiders were very loud and obnoxious on the court.

“They’re very verbal,” said junior Beth Chermel.

“They have a large team that is constantly screaming and cheering from the sidelines, which can get pretty annoying.”

The Cyclone women did not put any points on the scorecard against Texas Tech the first time, but said they are taking what they learned in March to pull off an upset in Austin.

Palen took on Cigdem Duru in the No. 1 spot, falling 7-5, 6-4.

“The first set I got down 5-1,” Palen said. “It just took me a while to get used to her game style.”

Palen said Duru hits hard and deep and has a strong backhand. In order to beat Duru, she said it’s important to keep the ball deep and mix up the shot placement.

“She doesn’t move very fast forward and backward,” Palen said. “So I could use some angles, mix it up and get her off her game so she doesn’t get into her groove.

“She has a lot of power, but I am probably a little quicker. I just need to play smart.”

Palen owns the advantage of having recently played her foe, but freshman Chrissy Derouin is not as fortunate.

Because of the constant changes the Cyclone roster has endured this season due to injuries, the rest of the team has had to move up positions.

Derouin, who played at the No. 5 spot against Texas Tech in March, is now playing in the No. 4 spot.

“I think I will be playing the girl that Caitlin [Loprinzi] played in the No. 4 spot,” Derouin said. “I already talked to [Loprinzi] and she said it’s a girl she thinks I can get.”

Coach Michele Conlon said the team is looking forward to the warm Texas weather and the enthusiastic atmosphere that the tournament will bring.

“Some of the best teams in the country will be there,” Conlon said. “And it is held at one of the best venues in all of college tennis.

“There will be a lot of things surrounding the event to make it special. Any college athlete going into this; how could you not be excited?”

Conlon said the team has gained a more competitive energy on the court along with more balanced emotions.

“The pressure is really on [Texas Tech] to turn around and win again,” Conlon said.

“We are going in there with nothing to lose.”