Last weekend was a tough one for the Iowa State women’s tennis team.

The Cyclones fell 7-2 at Baylor on Friday and lost 7-2 at Texas Tech on Sunday.

Bright spots for the Cyclones were the performances of senior Erika Asmuss, Kirsten Fagen and doubles partners Kendra Leese and Maggi Agustsson.

On Friday, Asmuss defeated Carolyn McGrath in the first singles match.

Iowa State Head Coach Michele Conlon was pleased with Asmuss’ play.

“Erika had a fabulous weekend,” Conlon said.

Conlon felt it was key for Asmuss to play well against McGrath, who has “been playing very well lately.”

“For Erika to beat [McGrath] 6-4, 6-1 was a great turn around,” Conlon said.

Fagen defeated Hortensia Hernandez 6-4,3-6,6-4 at Baylor to supply the Cyclones’ only other win.

On Sunday, Asmuss again led the way for Iowa State. She defeated Texas Tech’s Erika Fisher 6-4, 6-2 in the first singles match.

“Erika is capable of playing with everyone in the conference,” Conlon said.

The team of Agustsson and Leese defeated Texas Tech’s Sarada Ravindra and Fisher, 9-8, in the third doubles match. Conlon considers the doubles play to be a strength for ISU.

“I feel that if we go into doubles play with a chance to win that we will get it,” Conlon said.

Despite the losses, Conlon still is happy with the play of her team. The move to the Big 12 added more competition to the Cyclones’ schedule.

“The Big 12 is probably one of the top three conferences in the country,” Conlon said.

“In general, we are scoring more points off of opponents this year with basically the same personnel as last year, even though it’s a tougher conference.”

The Cyclones face a Missouri team on Wednesday that has improved since last year’s loss to the Cyclones. Then it is back to Ames for the final home meet of the season against Kansas who is currently ranked 20th in the nation.

“The Kansas meet is the last home meet for Erika and Angie [Miller], and it would be nice to have a big turnout,” Conlon said. The Kansas meet begins at 2 p.m.