Since 1984, the men's tennis team has won or shared the Mid-American Conference title in all but two seasons.
The team has earned three trips to the NCAA Tournament and a total of 16 MAC Championships.
With the league tournament looming on the horizon for the team this weekend, head coach Bill Richards said he has his usual high goals for a return trip to the NCAA Tourney.
As the preseason favorite for the MAC crown, the Cardinals (11-13 overall, 4-1 MAC) have been the target of the league all season. The team's only conference loss came to Bowling Green two weeks ago.
And after struggling in the pre-MAC season against many nationally ranked opponents, the team has fallen short of its usual high goals, leaving the team with only one chance of making it to the NCAA Tournament. They must win the conference tournament and be awarded the automatic bid.
"It goes without saying it's a big weekend," Richards said. "We really don't feel we've had enough big wins for an at-large bid (into the NCAA tournament), so this is our only chance."
Inconsistent play has plagued the team all season, particularly in doubles play. But with a first-round bye in the tourney, the Cards must wait to see which team they will play.
Ball State will play the winner of today's game between Buffalo (9-10, 0-5) and Western Michigan 912-12, 3-2).
"In tennis there aren't as many variables as there would be in basketball or baseball," Richards said. "Teams usually have to be somewhere near the same level, and Western is far above Buffalo."
Richards has made no secret this season that the fate of the team lies in the hands of the team's seniors, Pressel and Andrew Seni. He said if they do not perform up to par, the team will have problems. Still, Richards said he has not mentioned that to the duo.
"We're at the point in the season that everything that needs to be said has already been said," Richards said. "I have challenged those guys enough this season that they should be ready. If they're not, I can't help them."
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