Coming into the dual match season, Ball State University senior Danny Vidal knew Saturday's meet against Michigan State University would be the men's tennis team's biggest out-of-conference rivalry.
"They are a nasty team that gets into your face," Vidal said. "It's always a tough match."
Currently sitting at 3-5, the Cardinals face the Spartans in an attempt to pull a win out of their three-game road trip.
Michigan State is coached by ex-Cardinal Gene Orlando, who played at Ball State under current head coach Bill Richards from 1984 through 1987.
With the Cardinals winning the 2005 and 2006 contests, the Spartans retaliated last year with a 6-1 victory in what Richards said was a hard-fought match.
"It's definitely a rivalry," Richards said. "A lot of these guys grew up playing against each other living in the Midwest. You just have to take care of yourself and your side of the net."
Ball State is winless against Big Ten teams this season. Scoring one point out of three matches, two of the Cardinals' opponents have been No. 8 University of Illinois and No. 21 University of Michigan, who sit at the top of the Big Ten standings.
Traveling away from the YMCA Tennis Center produced three of Ball State's five losses in its dual match schedule, as the team has yet to find a win away from home.
However, Richards said if he looks past the rivalry the match is simple.
"It's just another match where our guys have to get better," he said.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
