Without one of its best players, the No. 69 Ball State University men's tennis team suffered a shutout loss to No. 5 University of Illinois.
Junior Jarrod Epkey, who played No. 3 singles and No. 1 doubles for the Cardinals, was not in the lineup this weekend and is out indefinitely because of back problems, coach Bill Richards said. The decision came after Epkey had an MRI last week.
"We're not really sure what's going to happen with him right now, but he's definitely going to be out for a period of time," Richards said.
Though the Cardinals (1-3) lost to Illinois (2-0), Richards said he was pleased with the team's play.
"I thought we were a little outmanned, a little overmatched," Richards said. "They're the fifth team in the nation and they played like it."
Sophomore Jose Perdomo replaced Epkey in the No. 3 singles spot and on the No. 1 doubles team.
Entering the Illinois match, Perdomo was 2-0 in singles play, and 2-0 on the Cardinals' No. 3 doubles team. Richard said his play this week in practice earned him the spot on the No. 1 doubles team.
"He wasn't even in our lineup last year on any type of consistent basis," Richards said. "Just to be up there is a big jump for Jose."
In singles, junior Ryan Rowe defeated Perdomo 6-1, 6-2. Rowe is ranked No. 11 in the nation in singles, and the highest ranked Illinois player.
"It was tough," Perdomo said. "He's a real good player. I was kind of nervous at the beginning of the match."
In doubles play, Perdomo competed with senior Joe Epkey, and lost a close match to juniors Kevin Anderson and Ruben Gonzales 9-8 (5).
"We threw him up there in No. 1 doubles with Joe Epkey and Jose played exceptionally well at No. 1 against a very, very strong team," Richards said.
Perdomo said he enjoyed playing in the big matches, and looks forward to regularly playing with Joe Epkey in doubles.
"I really can't wait to prove myself and show the team what I can do," Perdomo said.
In addition to Jarrod Epkey's injury, junior Daniel Vidal, who has ankle problems, will not play this season, and the team will petition for a medical red-shirt, Richards said.
In singles, Joe Epkey lost to No. 23 Anderson 6-2, 6-2. Illinois' other ranked player, No. 83 sophomore Marc Spicijaric, defeated Ball State freshman Bret Berryman, 6-3, 6-3. Ball State junior Aaron Philips was defeated by Gonzales, 6-3, 6-3, for his first loss of the season.
"It was kind of an uphill battle from the beginning, but overall I was fairly pleased with the way that we played," Richards said.
The match was held in Carmel, and Richards said approximately 75 percent of the 250 people in attendance were Ball State fans.
"I certainly would enjoy playing another match there at some point in time," Richards said.
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