A mostly new Cyclone squad took the courts for their opening match of the season against a solid Illinois Valley Community College. Despite the 3-6 loss, the challenge set up the team for what's to come.

Because both teams had a seventh player, they used that as an extra/practice matchup. Milca Barrera represented that position, winning 6-0, 6-1. For the other wins, Brooke Zielke won 6-0, 6-0 at first singles, and Ban Alobaidi (No. 6 singles) won 6-2, 6-6 (4-7), 10-4 in a tough battle. At No. 1 doubles, Zielke/Libby Newton won 6-6 (7-3), 6-3.

Julie Andrist (No. 2) lost 3-6, 2-6; Trisha Meyers (No. 3) lost 2-6, 6-6 (7-5), 6-10; Serene Itani (No. 4) fell 1-6, 4-6 and Libby Newton (No. 5) lost 0-6, 2-6 in singles play. Meyers/Andrist fell at No. 2 doubles 4-6, 6-4, 6-10; and Itani/Barrera lost at No. 3 1-6, 2-6.

"It was a good challenge for the players to be in an environment that allowed them to work out their nerves and anxieties since it was the first match of the season," said head Coach Breanna Vollan. "There were a lot of great moments where things clicked for the players, especially during the second sets and the doubles matches. First sets for singles were a bit rough across the board, but by the time the second sets came along, the players found their footing and started playing their game. Next week's matches will be good to see what they are made of and a good indicator of how the rest of the season looks."