The ISU women’s golf team will try to jump start its season when it travels to Tucson, Ariz., to play in the Mountain View Invitational this weekend.

“We’ve had a great week of practice,” said Fiona Watson, assistant golf coach. “Just being able to play outside helps a lot.”

Last season, Iowa State won the tournament, hosted by Colorado, and junior Louise Kenney ended up making school history. She finished the meet shooting a 218 — not only a personal best, but the lowest 54-hole score in team history. Since then, she tied that record at the Battle at the Lake in Tulsa, Okla., last fall.

Although Iowa State has finished in 11th place in both of its meets this season, the team is about where they should be, Watson said.

“We’re close,” she said. “[In] both of the tournaments, we got off to good first and second rounds, but we have fallen off in the last round. We end up kicking ourselves in the last round.”

Kenney has not only played very well this year, but is someone the Cyclones rely heavily on to lead them.

“We rely on her every time,” Watson said.

Kenney led the team in its last meet, placing 20th with a 54-hole score of 231.

However, the biggest bright spot this year might be the return of junior Lisa Meshke. Meshke had a season-ending elbow injury in the fall.

“Having Lisa out there gives us that added bonus,” said Watson. “Just knowing she is teeing off every time helps give this team extra confidence.”

Meshke fired scores of 233 and 241 the first two meets of the season, placing her in 29th and 49th, respectively, in the tournaments.

Watson said she hopes the team will repeat its performance from last season.

“Everything just feels good,” she said. “We have a great lineup, and we’re really excited.”