Ball State University's men's tennis team travels to the University of Toledo on Sunday for its second conference match.-áOne of the Cardinals' goals for the season is to win the Mid-American Conference.-áSo far Ball State has only had one MAC match, which was a win against the University of Buffalo.-á
The Rockets play IPFW on Saturday and play the Cardinals the next day.-á
"I think Toledo will beat IPFW, and, from a physical stand point, I don't think they will be pushed as much as they could be," coach Bill Richards said.-á"It's been a long road stretch, and it's probably a good thing that ISU got postponed [Wednesday] because travel takes it out of you."
The Cardinals will be the second MAC match for Toledo.-áLast year when Ball State and Toledo faced each other the Cardinals won 4-3.
"Last year against Toledo, we won, but we barely won," Joe Epkey said.-á"So we are going into this match almost as if we lost last year because we want revenge.-áIt is a big match to get to 2-0 in the MAC."
Toledo will be the eighth road match in a row for the Cardinals, and the team is trying to make the road feel as much like home as possible.-á
"[It's] nothing like playing at home," Jose Perdomo said. "We try to stay pumped up to play on the road, and we try to stay focused."
Epkey, No. 1 singles, has stepped it up over the past few weeks.-áThe senior was named MAC player of the week this week.-áHe has won three out of his last four matches, and he opened last weekend's tournament with a two-set win over the University of Montana's Colin Dektar.
"It feels good because it recognizes me for having a pretty good week," Epkey said. "I also was MAC player of the week once last year, but it's the first time this year I've got this award."
Richards said he was pleased Epkey was named MAC player of the week.
"I am really happy for Joe," Richards said. "He has had a good year and it was very well deserved."
One of Epkey's goals for the season was to be a leader for the team.-áDuring practice his teammates have noticed that Epkey has been more vocal.
"Well, it's good that I have been able to be a leader," Epkey said. "One of my goals was to step up and lead by example, and I wanted to be a little more vocal."
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