As you take a mid-afternoon journey to the Lied Recreation Center, you will encounter some interesting sounds as you pass by the university tennis courts.

Even for those who do not follow the sport of tennis, a doppler effect of spirited grunts and walloping forehands sparks curiosity as to what is happening within.

The answer is cyclone tennis.

The 1999-2000 ISU Women’s tennis team has been practicing hard for the beginning of its fall season, which begins today at the Billiken Tournament in St. Louis, Missouri.

The team has been conditioning since the beginning of the school year, with practices starting on August 31.

This fall, the team will be working toward improving on last spring’s 5-17 record, which ended with a 5-0 loss to Baylor in the first round of the conference tournament.

Coach Michelle Conlan feels she has good reason to expect a positive fall season as this year’s team features a good mix of returning letter winners and newcomers.

Conlan is excited about a team that she feels is the deepest she has coached at Iowa State.

“Team depth will be a major strong point for us this year.” she said. “With eight solid Division I players pushing each other, it will be hard for anyone to relax.”

Practice has been anything but relaxing. Most of the early concentration has been on skill work, moving more toward match play as competition has approached.

This weekend’s tournament will be an early measure of the team’s preparation.

Conlan will be looking to her returning letter winners to provide leadership, especially senior captain and academic all-american Kendra Leese.

“Kendra set an excellent example, both on the court and in the classroom. Every time she steps on the court, I have confidence that she will be giving 100 percent. That kind of leadership is important to any team, and her positive attitude influences the other girls,” said Conlan.

Other returners include sophomores Edna Vazquez, Noortje Cornelissen, Karin Westburg, and Sharla Whitaker.

Freshmen Kristen Gyaki, Tara Goedjen and Courtney Leese round out the roster.

Kendra Leese said the fall schedule provides the team an opportunity to prepare for spring conference day.

“Fall season is a build-up to the conference schedule — that’s what is most important — in the spring. But as a competitor, you still get geared up for every match.”

Leese and Conlan both revealed some goals set by the team, but no numbers were discussed.

“We set goals based on expectations. Things like attitude, desire, hard-work, pride and being competitive,” said Leese. “Don’t be misunderstood, winning is also set in the sights, but developing intensity and maturity are top priorities right now.”

At this weekend’s tournament, Conlan will be looking to see which of her girls are ready to go.

“If we get 100 percent effort at all times, it will be a great start to a positive season. If we are dead out there and don’t compete hard all weekend, it could make for a long three days,” Conlan said.

Conlan said she doesn’t foresee the latter happening, as the girls are enthusiastic about getting started.

After competing at the Billiken Tournament, the team will duel Drake University on October 21 in Des Moines.

They will play in a doubles tournament at Kansas State on October 30 and 31, before finishing out the fall season November 4-7 at the ITA Regionals in Salt Lake City, Utah.

This year’s team is geared up for a competitive fall schedule and ready to set the tone for moving up in the Big 12 come springtime.

Based on the sounds of those grunts and groundstrokes, one could say they’re headed in the right direction.