Emma Retter had the opportunity to break the spell Miami University has put on the Ball State University women's tennis team.
After winning the first set 7-5 against Victoria Pulida, she dropped the second set 7-6 in a tiebreaker, setting up a crucial third-set.
Two factors going into this last set: Miami had won 30 of the 31 matches against the Cardinals and the match was tied at 3.
No pressure at all.
Retter took a 4-1 lead in the third set, but Pulida rallied to take the last five games as Retter lost the set 6-4 and the Cardinals (8-12, 2-6 Mid-American Conference) lost the match 4-3.
"It was a heartbreaker," coach Kathy Bull said. "It just really kind of stopped us cold in our tracks. Emma got a little bit tight and [Pulida] stopped making mistakes and the momentum shifted a little bit."
Retter fought off four match points before succumbing.
Despite the tough loss, three Ball State players won singles matches.
In a battle of MAC Co-Players of the Week, Sophie Quist won easily over Katrina Lomidze 6-2, 6-2.
Jennifer Pollack broke out of a huge slump with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Linda Jirouskova. It was Pollack's first conference win of 2007 and was her second win in 11 matches.
"I felt pretty good," Pollack said. "It's been awhile. It's finally coming together. It's a little late, but better late than never.
Christine Stromberg also picked up a singles victory, beating Kristen McPhillips 7-6, 6-3.
Emma Retter and Katherine Rist also won at No. 3 doubles, an 8-3 victory over McPhillips and Kelly Douple.
"We won't address the match in-depth until [today]," Bull said. "There really wasn't much to say. Everybody fought hard. We were just happy to get out of Oxford."
With the loss, Ball State drops to the seventh seed in the conference tournament. The Cardinals will square off against the University at Buffalo Friday afternoon.
"I think we're getting that much closer," Pollack said. "I think we're just believing a little bit more. One or two points would've made a difference [Saturday]."
Up nextBall State at MAC Championships
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VENUEToledo, Ohio
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