The Iowa State Cyclones softball team kicks off its season this weekend with a tough challenge at the JoAnne Graf Classic in Tallahassee, Florida.

The Cyclones will face the University of North Carolina-Greensboro Spartans twice, the defending national champion and No. 1 ranked Florida State Seminoles twice and the University of North Carolina-Wilmington Seahawks.

“It’s going to be a good test coming out of the gates,” said Iowa State softball head coach Jamie Pinkerton.

The Cyclones will play two games Friday starting with UNC-Greensboro at 11:30 a.m. central time.

Last season, the Spartans went 46-13, won the Southern Conference Championship and made the NCAA tournament. The Spartans return six starters from their 2018 lineup, including All-SoCon conference players Marisa Sholtes, Jasmine Palmer and Makenna Matthijs.

The Spartans were picked to repeat as SoCon Conference champions.

The Cyclones and Spartans played each other in Kickin’ Chicken Classic last season, and the Spartans came out on top 2-0.

The Cyclones will compete with the Seminoles Friday at 4:30 p.m.

The Seminoles went 58-12 last season and won the ACC Championship and the College World Series.

The Seminoles roster remains largely unchanged as seven starters return from last year’s team, including three All-ACC players, the ACC freshman of the year and NFCA All-American Sydney Sherrill.

The Seminoles are picked to win the ACC Championship again this season.

Saturday’s slate for the Cyclones starts with another game against the Seminoles at 2 p.m.

Following the matchup with the Seminoles, the Cyclones will take on the UNC-Wilmington Seahawks at 4:30 p.m.

The Seahawks finished last season with a record of 20-29, but it could be improved this season, as the Seahawks return 11 players from last year’s squad. The Seahawks are picked to finish third in the Colonial Athletic Association.

The Cyclones conclude the JoAnne Graf Classic with another matchup against UNC-Greensboro Sunday at 10 a.m.

“I think we’re more prepared then we have ever been,” said senior pitcher Emma Hylen.

The Cyclones’ performance in the JoAnne Graf Classic could show how much the team has grown in the offseason and how much potential there is for the Cyclones to make a run at the postseason.

“It’ll be really good to start off with that competition when we are fully rested and ready to go,” said junior Sami Williams.