The pen is mightier than … the tennis racket? Well, something like that.

This year’s ISU women’s tennis team boasts its share of talent, that much is evident based on the results of its consistent play at the Billiken Invitational last weekend.

What you might not know is that these girls don’t need a hard court and a net in order to showcase their talents. They need only go as far as the nearest classroom.

The Cyclones begin their 1999-2000 campaign with four returning Big 12 academic all-conference first teamers.

They graduated two other first teamers from last spring. That makes for six first team all-academic performers in 1999 alone.

Team members credit coach Michelle Conlan with having a serious interest in their academic pursuits.

“Coach has always placed a lot of importance on academics, both during the recruiting process and after I got here,” sophomore Sharla Whitaker said.

“It’s an adjustment when you first get here, but we have all found a way to balance studying and tennis — that’s the key,” she said.

This kind of academic excellence didn’t just start last year for women’s tennis.

The Cyclones had two first team all-academic Big 12 selections in ’98, as well as two first team and two honorable mention selections in ’97.

Before the Big 12 was formed, Cyclone women’s tennis had 11 other all-conference academic selections dating back to 1990.

Senior Kendra Leese is a three time all-conference academic performer and a 1999 ITA Academic All-American.

Joining Leese on last year’s all-conference first team were Whitaker, sophomore Edna Vazquez and sophomore Karin Westberg.

“It’s nice to have the recognition. We are all proud of our academics. It’s something the teams here have become used to,” Westberg said.

In an era when collegiate athletic programs are constantly stretching the meaning of “student-athlete,” the Cyclones seem to have truly embodied the spirit of the term.

ISU tennis isn’t under pressure to fill a 50,000-seat stadium, but these Division 1 athletes have a passion for their game, and they support that passion with numerous hours of practice every week.