As much as the ISU women’s tennis team likes their fellow teammates, sometimes they would rather see a different face across the net.

“We’re excited to get rolling,” senior Courtney Leese said.

Head coach Michele Conlon said the Cyclones will be more than ready to enter into their first competition of the fall season this weekend.

The team will be at the Wildcat Invitational at Northwestern competing against the host school, Western Michigan, DePaul and Wisconsin.

“One of our main goals out of the weekend is to get in experience and improve — just to get the kinks out.” Conlon said. “The more match play you have the better you are going to get.”

Conlon said the Wildcat Invitational is played a little differently than a lot of competitions. After the players are ranked individually on the team, the top players compete against other team’s top players working the way down to the bottom.

Each set then plays a separate tournament.

The point is to gain match experience, Conlon said. No team scores will be kept.

Leese agreed the Cyclones are anxious to get into action.

“We are definitely ready for a tournament,” she said. “It will be a tough competition with some Big Ten schools — teams that we’ve never faced before.”

This weekend will be the kickoff to the new season that features four returning starters and three newcomers.

Seniors Leese, Tara Goedjen and Kristin Gyaki will join junior Sabrina Evers in bringing experience to the team.

Newcomers Suzanne Rutten, Beth Chermel and Charlotte LjungKrantz will also help the Cyclones position themselves in the Big 12 race.

“The returning four will really show great leadership,” Conlon said. “And I know their best tennis is ahead.”

Conlon said although Chermel has been injured, she will likely compete in doubles play.

“We’re excited to see the newcomers compete and looking forward to Suzanna and Charlotte showing us what they can do,” Conlon said.

The team, which has been practicing since Labor Day, is focusing on competing against each other for spots and exploring doubles combinations.

They have also been focusing on strength and conditioning, logging hours in the weight room.

Although Conlon is optimistic for the team’s season, she said she isn’t looking too far ahead.

“Right now the focus isn’t on long-term goals — it’s on working on the individual game,” Conlon said. “Right now, we’re thinking about the task at hand.”

Leese said she is hoping the fall season will be a learning experience for the newcomers and a chance to prepare for the future.

“We’re gaining experience in the fall to help us in the spring,” she said.

“This weekend is about starting off on a good foot. We’re going to support the freshmen and show them what college tennis is all about.”