After last weekend's loss to DePaul University, Ball State University women's tennis coach Kathy Bull spent the past week making her team more aggressive on the offensive end.
It's something the Cardinals need to improve if they expect to beat Indiana University Sunday.
The Hoosiers are ranked 40th in the FILA Collegiate Tennis Rankings.
Specifically, Bull said she was not happy about her players' first and second shots of each point.
"We're trying to get them to understand the game and get them to put it together," Bull said. "There's a great deal of thought and control that goes into it."
There will also be line-up changes for the Cardinals. Sophie Quist and Jennifer Pollack will flip-flop, with Quist playing No. 2 singles and Pollack at No. 3. Both players are 1-1 this year in singles play. Bull said Quist's agility and mobility make her better suited to play at No. 2.
"[Pollack] is a pretty smart tennis player," Bull said. "She just goes up against players who have a little bit more court speed. Sophie can bring that a little bit more."
Polina Askerko, who normally plays at No. 5 singles, may switch places with Emma Retter at No. 4.
Ball State also spent the week working on doubles play. Against DePaul, the Blue Demons caught the Cardinals out of position multiple times on points, winning the three doubles matches 8-2, 8-4 and 8-4. For that to change, Pollack said they have to work on hitting the first two shots away from their opponents.
"Last week we let them dictate how that went," Pollack said. "We've been working on getting to the right spot and covering the ball. Hopefully we'll be able to recover better against the bigger hitters, like IU."
The only possible change in doubles is at No. 3, where Stephanie Farrar's status is uncertain. If she's unable to play, then Askerko will play with Retter.
Ball State will be the second match of the day for the Hoosiers (6-0), who play Marquette University in the morning.
Number one singles player Alba Berdala leads the Hoosiers. She is ranked 86th in the nation by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association and owns a 6-0 record. Two other players, Cecile Perton (6-0, No. 5 singles) and Lindsey Stuckey (5-0, No. 6 singles), are also undefeated.
"You only get better by playing better people," Bull said. -á
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