Frustration. Anger. Confusion. These are the words that are looming in the minds of the ISU tennis team. With two losses in the three matches during the weekend, the team is looking for any type of positive spin.

The ISU tennis team had two 4-1 losses against No. 70 Minnesota on Feb. 27 and then again on Feb. 28 against Marquette. The Cyclones ended the weekend March 1 with a 5-0 win against Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The team was expecting better results against Minnesota and Marquette.

“It’s the same story as Oklahoma,” said junior Alejandra Galvis. “We couldn’t capitalize early and win the doubles point in Minnesota and it’s always tough to come back from being down.”

The expectation for the weekend was to compete and possibly beat Minnesota or Marquette, especially after a close 4-2 loss against Oklahoma on Feb. 22.

The team starts the season with a 3-5 record and is 1-4 in the past five matches.

“It’s hard to keep relying on the top four every match,” said ISU coach Armando Espinosa. “People need to step up and perform their job to a higher level.”

The player who stepped up this weekend was senior Meghan Cassens. Her performance in singles allowed Iowa State to not be shut out against Minnesota or Marquette.

Cassens defeated Minnesota’s Jessika Mozia 6-3 and 6-2, Marquette’s Ali Dawson 6-2 and 6-2 and Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Hayley Marshall 6-1 and 6-0. These wins are what Espinosa is looking for and he hopes people can learn from her.

“She’s just coming out and taking care of business on her side,” Espinosa said. “She’s comfortable at her position and she’s been doing a great job.”

Cassens is 6-2 in singles throughout the regular season and she hopes this success can lead to better performances in the Big 12 matchups, where it matters the most.

Even though Cassens is doing well in singles, her performance in doubles hasn’t reached her expectations. The reasoning behind the slow start is because she’s missing her partner, junior Ana Gasparovic.

Gasparovic has been dealing with a wrist injury and has missed the last five matches, which has changed the lineup unexpectedly.

“It’s just tough with Ana [Gasparovic] still being hurt,” Cassens said. “It puts a little more pressure on the bottom of the lineup because they have to fill her spot.”

Espinosa said Gasparovic could be healthy enough to play in the tournament at Drake University on March 6 and 7. Espinosa said he hopes she comes back soon because the weekend left a mark on some of the players’ health.

Sophomore Samantha Budai played with an ankle injury all weekend and other players are experiencing some aches and pains with the amount of matches. Espinosa expects Budai to recover during practice and play next weekend.

“It’ll be nice to have a week of practice and recovery for another long weekend upcoming,” Galvis said. “We’ll be ready to compete and hopefully come out with a few wins before the Big 12 matches begin.”