Despite beautiful spring weather and a home crowd, the ISU women’s tennis team was defeated Saturday by Kansas State, 7-0.

Contributing to the team’s defeat was the decision to end freshman Caitlin Loprinzi’s season. Loprinzi, who has been injured throughout the season, briefly returned to the roster March 25 against Texas Tech.

“Her body just couldn’t handle it anymore,” said teammate Jill Palen.

In an attempt to decrease the blow to the team and the pressure on the other members, coach Michele Conlon made a call to former walk-on prospect Beth Takemoto.

Takemoto said she had planned to walk on to the team at the beginning of her freshman year, but decided against it because of her rigorous class schedule.

“I only had a chance to practice once with the team during the week,” Takemoto said.

“Our doubles match was a little bit off, but it was [Charlotte Ljungkrantz and my] first time playing together.”

Although the Cyclones were not able to pull together a team victory against the Wildcats, the weekend was not without success.

Chrissy Derouin and doubles partner Danielle Uscinski defeated Kansas State’s Jessica Simosa and Judith Diaz 8-5 in the No. 2 spot.

Uscinski battled it out with Tamar Kvaratskhelia in the No. 2 singles spot.

Kvaratskhelia took the first set 6-0, but Uscinski fought back to send the match into a third set after taking set two 6-1.

Kvaratskhelia defeated Uscinski in the tiebreaker, 6-0.

Uscinski said the flow of the match was disrupted when Kvaratskhelia stopped for a bathroom break.

“A lot of players do that to mess up the flow or mix up your rhythm,” Uscinski said.

“I was on a roll when she took the break, and when she came back she gradually started playing better.

“There is not much you can do about that.”

Uscinski said the team will be working hard next week in practice to correct its shortcomings from the weekend.

One of the most important things the team will work on is stamina.

“We want to end the season right,” Uscinski said.

“We want to [win]; we have the tools. We’re all motivated to do it; we just have to take it one step at a time.”

The Cyclones have one more chance to record a conference win for the season next Saturday against Nebraska.

The match will be held at the Forker courts at 11 a.m.