The ISU women’s tennis team evened its record to 1-1 with a 7-0 shutout of Gustavus Adolphus Friday in front of a light crowd at the Ames Racquet & Fitness Center.

The Cyclones opened the meet by winning all three doubles matches 9-7 to take a 1-0 advantage as singles play began.

“We played tentatively in the doubles matches,” said ISU head coach Michele Conlon. “Gustavus is a good team, and they played some gutsy doubles.”

ISU players had an easier time in singles matches, winning each one in two straight sets.

Freshman Jill Palen defeated Gustavus’ Kara Smiley 6-2, 6-4. It was a unique match for Palen, whose sister Lyndsey plays for Gustavus and lost to Iowa State’s Beth Chermel 6-1, 6-1.

“I tried to just play. I didn’t really focus on it too much during the meet,” Palen said.

Sophomore Eve Soriano defeated Gustavus’ Marla Menne 6-0, 6-2.

“We were fired up going into the meet,” Soriano said. “We went out there and took care of business.”

“Eve played very well today,” Conlon said. “She played aggressively and with passion.”

Cyclone senior Sabrina Evers defeated Tara Houlihan 6-4, 6-1, and ISU freshman Danielle Uscinski defeated Jaime Gaard 6-2, 6-2. Sophomore Charlotte Ljungkrantz completed the Cyclone sweep with a 6-0, 6-3 victory over Gustavus’ Darcy Hawbrick.

The victory gave Iowa State a confidence boost going into Big 12 conference play, Conlon said.

“We found ways to win today, which is beneficial for playing in the Big 12,” Conlon said. “There’s not many 20-year-olds who have the opportunity to compete in such a high-level conference. Our team doesn’t take it for granted, and we really appreciate these opportunities.”

The Cyclones were supposed to begin conference play with matches against Oklahoma and Oklahoma State Feb. 7-8, but hazardous weather conditions in Ames prevented the team from traveling to the Des Moines International Airport for its flight.

Big 12 play will now begin in late February as the Cyclones travel south to play Texas A&M Feb. 27 and Texas Feb. 28.