The ISU women’s tennis traveled a tough road during Spring Break.

To open the week, the Cyclones were defeated by Big 12 conference rivals Nebraska and Colorado in a triangular at Boulder.

Later, they dropped matches to Wyoming and UC San Diego to round out the week.

The Cyclones lost 7-2 to the Cornhuskers and 8-1 to the Buffaloes.

At San Diego, the Cyclones lost a pair of close 5-4 decisions to put the season record at 3-9.

“The Big 12 is solid all the way through and our schedule is pretty tough. I have a lot of confidence in our team and I think we’re playing well. We’re perfectly capable of upsetting some teams,” Cyclone head coach Michelle Conlon said.

Sophomore Edna Vazquez and freshman Courtney Leese continued their impressive play in the No. 3 doubles slot by winning three of the four matches they played.

The duo’s only loss came in the Nebraska match, where they moved up to No. 2 doubles.

Vazquez and Leese are now 17-2 on the season.

“They both have a very good sense of doubles. They both volley very well and communicate well as a team, which is important in doubles,” Conlon said.

In both of the narrow defeats, the Cyclones lost four of the six singles matches, but came back to win two of the three doubles matches.

The Cyclones were without two of their top players, Kendra Leese and Kendra Westberg, in the loss to UC San Diego.

Both absences were due to injury.

“The loss to UC San Diego wasn’t one of our better matches,” Conlon said. “I was happy with the singles play of Kristen Gyaki. she’s been having a terrific season and has been pulling through for us.

“It’s nice to have depth on the team and know that people can step in and play.”

Conlon was pleased, obviously, with the play of her doubles combinations.

“We fell short in singles against Wyoming,” she said. “We did an excellent job in doubles but just came up a little short.”

The two Cyclone wins against the Cornhuskers came in singles play from Tara Goedjen at No. 5 and Leese at the No. 6 spot.

Both Goedjen and Leese won in three sets after dropping the first set.

“We got a couple of nice wins from our freshmen, Courtney Leese and Tara Goedjen. They both won tight matches and that always helps your confidence,” Conlon said.

Vazquez and Leese recorded the lone win over the Buffaloes with a 9-7 victory at No. 3 doubles.

“Colorado is nationally ranked and is a very good team. Every Big 12 team we play from here on out in ranked so it’s not going to be easy,” Conlon said.

The Cyclones are back in action Friday hosting Creighton at the Ames Racquet and Fitness Center at 4 p.m.