No. 65 Iowa State plays its last two games of the regular season, hosting No. 53 Kansas State on Friday and No. 19 Oklahoma State on Sunday. Heading into the matches, the Cyclones are 10-9 overall and 4-7 in conference play.
In Iowa State’s previous match, it lost 4-2 to then-No. 45 Kansas at home. The match was close throughout, with the Cyclones tied 2-2 at one point.
Kansas State Preview
The first game of the weekend homestand kicks off against the Wildcats. Kansas State is 9-9 overall and 6-5 in conference play.
The Wildcats’ previous match was a 4-1 rout over Utah at home. In that match, Kansas State won the doubles point and three singles matches and cruised to its ninth win of the season.
The all-time record between the two is 28-14, with Kansas State leading. Before losing last year, Iowa State had a three-game win streak, with each final score being 4-2.
A player to look out for on Kansas State is Maralgoo Chogsomjav. She is 10-4 in dual singles matches and 6-1 in the Big 12.
For the Cyclones, watch out for sophomore Valeska San Martin Ramirez. She is 8-7 in dual singles matches and 5-5 in conference play. Ramirez is also on a three-game winning streak in her singles matches.
This match will feature one ranked player: Iowa State senior Anna Supapitch Kuearum. She is ranked No. 119 in singles.
In the Big 12 tennis standings, the Cyclones are in sixth place, and the Wildcats are in a three-way tie for fifth place.
Iowa State plays Kansas State at 4 p.m. Friday at the Iowa State Tennis Facility.
Oklahoma State Preview
After Kansas State, the Cyclones close out the regular season with their match against Oklahoma State on Sunday.
The Cowgirls are 16-6 overall and 10-1 in Big 12 play. Currently, Oklahoma State is on a nine-game win streak. Its most recent loss was March 2 against UCF.
The previous match for the Cowgirls was a 6-1 drubbing of BYU at home. In that match, Oklahoma State won three singles matches.
Oklahoma State has maintained a comfortable series lead with an all-time record of 40-1. Iowa State’s only victory occurred during the 2022-23 season, and prior to that, the Cyclones went 0-39 from 1976-2022. The goal for Iowa State on Sunday will be to secure its first home victory over the Cowgirls in its new tennis facility.
Look out for Oklahoma State’s Rose Marie Nijkamp. She is 14-1 in dual singles matches and 9-0 in conference. Nijkamp is also on a 12-match win streak.
For Iowa State, freshman Mari Paz Alberto Vilar is 8-4 in dual singles matches and 4-3 in conference.
This match will feature six ranked singles players and two ranked doubles pairings. The Cowgirls have five of the six ranked players and both ranked doubles pairings.
Oklahoma State is one of the hardest, if not the hardest, teams Iowa State will face this season. The Cyclones have been in this position before, however, and are no strangers to tough competition. Playing in front of the home crowd can also be another factor in their favor.
Iowa State plays Oklahoma State at 12 p.m. Sunday from the Iowa State Tennis Facility.
