Ball State University's men's tennis team will get another shot at the conference champions.
Ball State advanced to face No. 1 seed Western Michigan University at 10 a.m. today in the Mid-American Conference Tournament thanks to a 4-0 victory against the University at Buffalo.
"It's a situation where you are won and done," coach Bill Richards said. "My standpoint is we took care of business and did what we had to do."
The No. 4 seed Cardinals played the Bulls on their home indoor court in Buffalo, N.Y. Three singles matches did not finish as Ball State had already clinched victory with four points. Senior Jorge Rodriguez won his No. 5 singles match 6-3, 6-4, and freshman Andre Monroy won at No. 4 singles 6-3, 6-0. Sophomore Eduardo Pavia scored Ball State's fourth and final victory at No. 1 singles 6-4, 6-1.
Senior Jose Perdomo and sophomore Shaun Bussert led their matches before the match was called. Freshman Cliff Morrison was the only Cardinal who trailed at the time.
Ball State won the doubles point with Pavia and Monroy at No. 2, 8-1. Rodriguez and freshman Derek Carpenter won at No. 3 doubles 8-6.
Ball State lost the doubles point against Buffalo in the regular season meeting and lineup changes were made to counter.
"I think we made some improvements since then," Richards said. "That was the match where we lost the doubles point so we have progressed."
It was the second time the Cardinals defeated the Bulls in Buffalo this season.
Today's rematch with Western Michigan will be a chance for Ball State to avenge its loss to the Broncos in Muncie two weeks ago, 5-2. The Broncos will be rested thanks to their first round bye, but it's unknown how big of an advantage that will be against the Cardinals.
"Our schedule has been tough with a long drive Wednesday and a match Thursday," Richards said. "It's physically demanding, but we'll try to handle the circumstances as they come. We played a good match two weeks ago. We have to give ourselves the same opportunities as last time. We are going to have to find a way to win the close ones."
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