The ISU tennis team (12-3, 0-1 Big 12) began conference play against Oklahoma (5-7, 1-0 Big 12) Friday at the Headington Family Tennis Center in Norman, Okla. The Cyclones fell, 4-0. 

All season, the core of the 12 wins that the Cyclones have earned has come from the momentum gaining first match point in doubles play. Unfortunately there was a different turn of events against the Sooners.

The pairing of Samantha Budi and Liza Buss were on the losing end of the spectrum. They took a 6-2 loss against Oklahoma’s Lily Miyazaki and Emma Devine. The Sooners would secure the doubles point with their second doubles victory.

Cyclones Regina Espiendola and freshman Claudia Toledo also lost 2-6 against Mimi Fotopoulos and Simran Sethi, which gave the Sooners a 1-0 lead over the Cyclones going into singles play.

It has been questioned if ISU’s starting lineup, which consists of a majority of freshman, would be the down fall for the season. It was certainly the down fall on Friday.

Oklahoma managed to put away 3 of the Cyclones freshman, beginning with Liza Buss, who lost 5-7, 4-6, against Emma Devine. Annabella Bonadonna who has been a silent weapon for the Cyclones, fell to Brigante 2-6, 2-6.

Finally, Oklahoma’s Malene Stripp earned a 3-6, 1-6 victory over Toledo. Toledo played in her third singles match of the season for the Cyclones.

The Cyclones will be back on the courts on Sunday for another Big 12 match up. Then Iowa State will travel to Stillwater, Ok., to face the Oklahoma State Cowboys at 12:00 p.m.