For the first time as coach at Ball State, Christine Bader will make a homecoming trip to her alma mater, Michigan State, as the women's tennis team competes in the Spartan Invitational this weekend.
"Going back gets me more pumped for college tennis again," Bader said. "It will be good for the girls to see where I come from and meet my family and friends."
With her personal supporters coming to the tournament, Bader said the Cardinals will have their own fan section while on the road.
Bader had a decorated career at Michigan State, earning two All-Big Ten honors and an 18-14 record in her senior season while being ranked No. 114 by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
She previously had made two return trips to Michigan State when she was the coach at Evansville.
The three-day tournament will consist of a deeper field than last weekend's Ball State Invitational, including a number of Mid-American Conference schools.
With the positive results Bader saw from the previous tournament, she said her team will be more relaxed to play this weekend.
"They practiced really well [Thursday]," Bader said. "They're excited and ready for this tournament."
She said the Spartan Invitational was easier to prepare for because of the Ball State Invitational.
"Everyone got to compete last weekend so we saw what we needed to work on," Bader said. "We had a good transition for this weekend."
Her main emphasis for Ball State going into this weekend is teamwork and improving the player's individual games because of the three MAC opponents that will be competing.
"This weekend will be good for us if we focus on team support and have positive attitudes," Bader said. "We will see some of these schools again, so that helps us down the road as well."
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