The women’s tennis team has started its season 8-0 and earned themselves the No. 74 spot in the country this week.

The team does not focus on the ranking by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association poll; they have two matches to concentrate on. One of which is against No. 60 University of California-Santa Barbara, who began the season 0-3. Despite the difference in record, the Cougars know Santa Barbara will pose a threat, as well as the conditions.

For the first time since the Hawaii International, Jan. 5-7, the Cougars will be playing outdoors. This means that there are several conditions that will impact how the match will be played.

Head Coach Lisa Hart explained it is tougher to transition from indoor to outdoor because of those uncontrollable elements.

“When you serve you might lose the ball in the sun and the wind can move the ball around, which is a huge difference in tennis because when you’re indoor you get used to the speed of play, and there are not as many factors,” Hart said.

Senior Trang Huynh has had a great start to her season, compiling an undefeated record in singles play. Huynh found that in the past playing outdoors can be more grueling on the body.

“Warmer climates will require more fitness, but I think we are all healthy,” Huynh said. “It won’t have much of an effect on us.”

As for the wind being a factor, Huynh said the Cougars have to focus on moving their feet and making sure they keep the balls in play to force mistakes from their opponents.

The Cougars’ first opponent Saturday will be Memphis, which has lost three-straight matches. In the Cougars’ first-ever matchup against Memphis, senior Maria Biryukova could tie WSU alumna Andrea Reisz for eighth on the WSU top-10 singles victories list with a victory on Saturday.

The Cougars will face Memphis at 1 p.m. and UCSB at 5 p.m. Saturdayin Santa Barbara. You can follow the matches at www.wsu.statbroadcast.com.

Reporting by Alex Payton