Spring break comes a little early this year for the ISU women’s golf team as it travels to balmy Parrish, Fla., this weekend to play in two tournaments.

The Cyclones play head-to-head against Nebraska Friday and will compete in the Michigan State Central District Challenge Feb. 23-24.

Head coach Julie Manning said she thought it would be a good idea to get the players some playing experience before the large tournament.

“We are at a disadvantage because we haven’t been able to hit outside yet,” she said. “A lot of northern teams get pummeled.

“I talked to the head coach of Nebraska and we both thought it would be a good idea to get some practice before the big tournament.”

Even though the weather has not allowed the golfers to play outside, it has not stopped them from getting repetitions.

The golf team has been practicing in a dome in Johnston once a week, hitting plastic balls into nets in the Forker Building twice a week and practicing putting indoors.

They have also been doing strength and conditioning exercises to stay in shape.

Seven players will be playing in the Nebraska tournament. The top five scorers will go on to play in the Central District Challenge.

“It is a very challenging tournament right off the bat,” Manning said. “If Louise [Kenney] continues right off from where she left off in the fall, it will really help our team.”

Kenney’s scoring average was 75.8 last fall.

Health is one of the biggest concerns for the team heading into the season. Manning chose to take seven players on the trip as a precautionary measure if there are any injuries.

Junior Lisa Meshke and freshman Christi Athas have recently been coming back from injuries.

Meshke sat out the 2002-2003 season as a medical redshirt with a back injury, and Athas injured her back late in the fall last year.

“Our biggest key to success is having everyone healthy,” Manning said.