The ISU women’s tennis team failed to win a single match against No. 14 Texas on Saturday, falling 7-0. The Cyclones had hoped to be well-rested and prepared for the match by canceling their Friday meeting against Gustavus Adolphus.

Head coach Michele Conlon said the Cyclones went into the match fresh and competed hard but weren’t able to seal the deal.

“We need to keep believing when we get in tight situations,” Conlon said.

Although Texas swept the Cyclones 7-0, Conlon said the team has improved greatly since last year. She said it was a tremendous compliment to the Cyclones when the Texas assistant coach commented on the team’s improvement.

“They’re more in the mode of working on strategy pieces and options in their doubles,” Conlon said. “Last year, it was more a matter of just getting the ball in play and not making simple, unforced errors all the time. Now they’re building the point, creating and thinking strategy.”

Freshman Caitlin Loprinzi faced the Longhorns for the first time on Saturday in her first Big 12 match. Loprinzi, who went in to the match with an injured wrist and a stress reaction in her foot, said the injuries were not an issue.

“You know that they’re there, but once you get the adrenaline going, you kind of forget about them and they don’t hurt,” Loprinzi said.

Texas started off the match with a 1-0 advantage after winning both the No. 1 and No. 2 doubles 8-3, and defeating Chrissy Derouin and Charlotte Ljungkrantz at the No. 3 position 8-2.

In singles play, sophomore Danielle Uscinski took on Courtney Zauft in the No. 3 spot. After falling in the first set 6-2, Zauft went on to defeat Uscinski by taking the next two sets 6-2, 6-0.

“I thought Danielle really came to play today,” Conlon said.

In the No. 1 spot, nationally ranked Petra Dizdar defeated freshman Jill Palen 6-1, 6-1. Palen said all the matches were close, but Texas was better at finishing them off.

“We need to take advantage of chances and finishing off games. We need to go for the big point,” Palen said. “Everyone played really well and fought really hard, which is the most important thing.”

Conlon said the team will have a hard week of practice in order to prepare for two tough matches next weekend. The Cyclones next play in Missouri, against Murray State on Saturday and Missouri on Sunday.