Eight games into the spring season, the Ball State University men's tennis team is starting to experience the long middle-of-the-season run.
Over the next month, the Cardinals have eight matches to gear up for the Mid-American Conference Championships. Four of those matches happen in the next two weeks as the team finishes up their homestand.
"These next two weeks are very important for our team," sophomore Andres Monroy said. "In the last couple years we lost in matches in the weeks before the MAC tournament. We need to stay focused and keep practicing hard for these February and early March matches to be prepared."
For coach Bill Richards, the middle of the season is one time to reflect on the performance of his team so far.
"It is still relatively early and we've only played three or four pretty strong teams," Richards said. "I'd have liked to split with some of the Big Ten teams we played so that is a little disappointing. But right now, we are playing a lot of teams we should beat. It is still too early to tell, but I would say we are somewhere in the middle."
The team will have a chance to improve upon their performance so far as they take on Eastern Illinois University at 3 p.m. today.
After winning both their matches in Saturday's doubleheader 7-0, the team will have to continue to stay focused against lesser competition.
"Who you are playing doesn't matter as much because we are still pushing each other in practice," Richards said. "Eastern Illinois is the same challenge as those earlier teams. They come to beat you so you need to come with the right mind set."
For Richards, the middle of the season is also the time for improvement.
"It is a long 16-week season as we try and prepare for the MAC," Richards said. "Every individual has liabilities in their game they need to improve. If the individuals get better, then the team will continue to get better."
Monroy is one who has used this time to better his game as the championships draw closer.
"I have improved a lot over the last two weeks," Monroy said. "Coach and I put in extra hours on my forehand, and the extra hours of practice have helped me a lot."
The biggest challenge facing the team and Richards is getting consistent court time to practice.
"We will be able to do more as the season goes on because we have been crammed for court time lately," Richards said. "Right now the focus is on getting a solid base of match play. Once we get to the spring break trip, we will have a lot more flexibility."
As their trip West and the championships draw closer, Richards draws on his experiences over the years to help his team get ready.
"I'm very competitive and take pride in growing the program," Richards said. "The last few years have been disappointing and we haven't won since 2006. My goal is to do things here to prepare for another championship."
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