The ISU women’s tennis team has its last chance to record its first conference victory of the season this weekend, against Nebraska.

The Cornhuskers are 6-2 in conference play, with their only losses coming to Baylor and Texas, the top two teams in the Big 12. They bring a four-match winning streak into Ames.

Iowa State, on the other hand, has lost eight straight, last winning March 4 against Northern Colorado.

Sophomore Jill Palen is the only Cyclone who has won a singles match in Big 12 play, defeating Katka Sevcikova of Missouri 6-5, 7-4 and Irina Lykina of Oklahoma 5-7, 6-4, 10-7.

With the conference tournament rapidly approaching and the team’s spirit dwindling, coach Michele Conlon brought in Marty Martinez, sports psychologist who also practices with Student Counseling Service, to help the team.

“All of our mistakes are mental,” said junior Beth Chermel. “We all have the tools, the ability and skills, but mentally we are lacking, which is the most important thing at the end of the year.”

Chermel also said the team has been working on showing positive emotions instead of negative reactions. She said the team members frequently scold themselves on the court after bad plays, which is an emotional outlet for them but an advantage to the other team.

“Your opponent sees you frustrated and they feed off it and boost their own energy,” Chermel said.

Sophomore Danielle Uscinski said Martinez talked of the importance of focusing on things one can control, such as breathing. Controlling something small can lead to controlling footwork and other things, she said.

Another technique the women are working on is finding a calming ritual.

“[Martinez] told us to come up with something to help you calm down and make it a ritual,” Uscinski said. “It can be touching your elbow as cue to calm down, or a phrase in your head.”

Newcomer Beth Takemoto is one team member who may need a calming ritual, as she will be playing in only her second collegiate match. She played last week, replacing Caitlin Loprinzi, who is out for the rest of the season.

Uscinski said Loprinzi’s absence is a huge loss to the team, and it will miss her fighting mentality, energy and determination, but the Cyclones’ new member is a great addition to fill Loprinzi’s shoes.

“It’s great to see Beth out there stepping up,” Uscinski said. “It’s really nice to have a sixth person.

“I admire how she came into a group she doesn’t know at the end of the year with such a hectic school schedule.”

Takemoto said last weekend was a little shaky, playing for the first time in match play for almost two years.

She said playing full matches in practice has been a great help. Up until this week, the team has been playing one set at a time in practice, something Conlon changed this week.

“It’s really easy to just drill and feel confident, but it’s completely different than match play,” Takemoto said. “Hopefully, [practicing matches] will pay off this weekend.”

With a Saturday forecast of 71 degrees, the Cyclones will likely take to the Forker outdoor courts at 11 a.m.

The backup location of the match is the Ames Racquet and Fitness Center, 320 S. 17th St.