Now would be a fine team for meet win by the ISU women’s golfers. They begin Big 12 tournament play at College Station, Texas, on Friday.

It marks what will be the toughest test for the Cyclones thus far and could possibly be the last meet for them this season. The team is still confident it can make some noise in the three-day, 54-hole tournament and come out of it successful.

Junior Louise Kenney, who has been one of the most solid performers for the team this season, said the Cyclones have a chance to finish in the top three if they go in believing in themselves and play to their ability.

“We have to relax and have fun and keep our heads held high,” Kenney said. “The most important thing is to believe in our ability.”

Kenney is currently 16th in the Big 12 in stroke average per 18 holes with 76.38.

Head coach Julie Manning said every team has a chance to win because the conference is so competitive.

“The Big 12 is wide open,” she said. “It’s going to come down to whoever brings their ‘A’ game for those three days.”

Three Big 12 teams are currently ranked in the Golfstat.com top 25, with defending Big 12 champion Oklahoma State leading the pack at No. 7. Texas and Oklahoma come in at No. 12 and No. 13, respectively.

Assistant coach Fiona Watson said she believes that if the team is able to build on what it has accomplished over the course of the season, the Cyclones will be able to walk away from the meet happy.

“The conference is so tough,” Watson said. “Our goal is to take advantage of the last couple months of practice and go in and finish strong.”

There is also the possibility that this tournament might be the last for two Cyclone seniors — Leanne Owens and Cindy Whitmore. ISU head coach Julie Manning said the important thing is to make sure they have fond memories of their Cyclone careers.

Whitmore and fellow senior Claire Stephanson, along with junior Lisa Meshke and sophomore Erica Dahl, were named to the Big 12 All-Academic first team. First team members are required to have at least a 3.2 grade point average.

Kenney hopes the seniors will finish their careers on a great note and knows it is a special meet.

“They are my best friends,” Kenney said. “It will be sad when it is over. It is really special for them.”

The tournament will take place at the Pebble Creek Country Club in College Station. Iowa State is grouped with Texas and Baylor in the opening round and will tee off at 8:50 a.m. Friday.

The team that wins the Big 12 Championship will receive an automatic berth in the national tournament, along with the top individual player in the tournament.