Wildcat tennis has two road trips this weekend as the team will head to Ames, Iowa, to take on the Iowa State Cyclones today at 2 p.m. The Wildcats then travel to Morgantown, West Virginia, take on the West Virginia Mountaineers on Sunday at 9 a.m.
The Cyclones started the season out strong in nonconference tennis but have come down from that in Big 12 play, going 13-4 overall and 1-2 in conference matches.
“This is a tough trip for us in terms of a long travel, but I feel like we are recovering well and know how to adjust to new facilities rather quickly,” K-State head coach Danielle Steinberg said to K-State Sports. “The doubles point is going to be big in both matches. We worked on doubles a lot lately and are coming off a great doubles point this past weekend, which again, should give us momentum going into Friday’s match.”
It won’t be easy for the Wildcats in doubles against Iowa State. The Cyclones have two doubles pairs with a combined record of 24-6. K-State will need to use the momentum gained after beating TCU in doubles matches last weekend against Iowa State. K-State does have history on its side against the Cyclones with an overall record of 31-12.
West Virginia, like the Wildcats, has struggled at times this season. The Mountaineers are limping into this matchup with a 6-8 overall record and 0-3 record in Big 12 play. K-State has never lost to West Virginia in tennis, owning a 6-0 all-time record against them, including a 4-0 victory last season.
The Mountaineers have one player who has reached double digits in victories so far this season: sophomore Habiba Shaker. She has not lost in the No. 2 singles position. Whoever is in the No. 2 position for the Wildcats will have their hands full with Shaker.
“Even though we are in April, we are still focusing on the process, and getting better each day out there,” Steinberg said to K-State Sports. “There were a lot of positives in our TCU match, and I am hoping we can carry that momentum into this weekend.”
Next time out the K-State will host in-state rival Kansas for the Sunflower Showdown on April 16. First serve is set for 2 p.m.
