AMES – On a chilly and damp Friday evening, dozens of members from the Ames and Iowa State communities turned out at the Iowa State Tennis Facility for an appreciation barbecue hosted by the Iowa State tennis team.
“It means a lot that people came,” head coach Jaron Maestas said. “We’ve had people show up every weekend at home matches to support us. To have people that rally behind us is a great thing. And I hope we have more opportunities for the community in the future.”
The event served as a springboard for the final three matches of the season. And to celebrate the growth of a young team on the rise.
“I think it’s been a really great season for us so far,” freshman Suzanie Pretorius said. “We are a very young team, and we have five freshmen. We grow a lot together. So I think we’ve come a long way.”
The Cyclones are 10-8 so far this season, a six-win improvement from last year. With three games remaining on the schedule, there’s a chance to add to the total.
Coming off a rebuilding season last year, it was crucial to establish a culture, especially with a young team.
“Our discipline in our daily activities, what you do daily, plays a very big role, especially on the court,” Pretorius said. “Coach [Maestas] stresses the importance of our discipline on and off the court.”
It’s that discipline that has helped the Cyclones turn around so quickly from last season. Iowa State is in a great position for future success, looking to build off this bounce-back year.
“This team, if they stick together, can win a Big 12 championship,” Maestas said. “Even now, with three games left, we’re playing for a shot at the NCAA Tournament. They’re a young team with a lot of talent, it’s just about getting that experience under your belt.”
With postseason hopes still alive, it’s crucial that Iowa State gets a win against No. 45 Kansas on Saturday.
The Jayhawks are 11-9 overall and 5-5 in conference play. In their most recent match, they lost 4-3 to BYU on the road.
The all-time record between the two is 39-8 in favor of Kansas. Before losing last season, Iowa State had a four-game win streak over Kansas.
Watch out for Pretorius in this match. She has won her last two singles matches against two tough opponents in BYU and Utah, both coming on the road.
For the Jayhawks, watch out for Gracie Mulville. She is 11-6 in singles and is on a four-game winning streak.
This match will feature two ranked players from both teams. For Kansas, it’s No. 106-ranked Mulville. For the Cyclones, it’s No. 109-ranked senior Anna Supapitch Kuearum.
Iowa State plays Kansas at 12 p.m. Saturday from the Iowa State Tennis Facility.
