More than halfway through its seven-match homestand, the Ball State University men's tennis team continues to roll through its competition.
The Cardinals improved their record to 5-3 on the season after consecutive 7-0 sweeps of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and Anderson University in their doubleheader Sunday at the Muncie Northwest YMCA Tennis Center.
Ball State lost just one match on the day.
"These three weeks [at home] are the most important of the season," sophomore Cliff Morrison said. "We need to continue to beat lesser competition and beat them like we did today."
Against Green Bay, Ball State got into trouble early by splitting the first two doubles matches. It came down to Eduardo Pavia and Dalton Albertin at No. 1 doubles to secure the point.
Pavia and Albertin squeaked by with a 9-8 (3) win, and the Cardinals cruised from there in singles play to win the match.
"I give a lot of credit to Eduardo and Dalton today," coach Bill Richards said. "When you're expected to win and you get threatened, you can start to feel the pressure. They came through in the clutch and got us the point."
Doubles has been a struggle all year for the Cardinals, particularly at No. 3. Richards has tried multiple combinations, but may have finally found a consistent pair. After inserting Morrison in with Derek Carpenter at No. 3, the duo has won two matches in a row.
"I think we are a good pair because we both motivate each other on the court," Morrison said. "You want to have a No. 3 you can rely on and we've won and need to continue to do that. The team wasn't very good today, but it was another step in the right direction."
Against the Ravens, an NCAA Division III team, Ball State didn't lose a set. Every singles competitor won in straight sets on the way to another victory.
Despite the convincing wins Sunday, Morrison knows his team has a long way to go.
"We need to focus more in practice," he said. "We need to think like it is the conference tourney and win now against lesser teams. Vegas will be our reward for the hard work."
The Cardinals travel to Las Vegas on Mar. 11. For now, the team has another match Wednesday as it welcomes Eastern Illinois University to town.
"The team is definitely on the right track," Morrison said. "The big thing is the team has been better the last couple weekends. It might be a little bit late, but the team is very motivated."
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