Alexandre Brym was running from one end of the court to the other, chasing the volleys of Notre Dame's Greg Andrews.
Finally Brym got a good look at a return and smashed a winning shot in the second set tie-breaker.
"That's a Kobe shot," teammate Jon Wegener said.
Brym smiled at the joke. His Ball State teammates believe Brym plays like a tennis version of Kobe Bryant with clutch plays. He proved his high-level abilities in No. 4 singles match Saturday.
Notre Dame had already won the other five singles matches and the doubles point, and it was up to Brym to prevent the 7-0 sweep. Everyone in the Northwest YMCA had their eyes glued to Brym's match.
"For me, it wasn't that bad when people focus on me because it gives me the will to keep playing," Brym said.
Brym lost the first set to Andrews 4-6, but stayed even with him in the second set, finishing 6-6. The result was a tie-breaker, with the first to seven points and ahead by two named the winner.
"I saw at some point in the second set that he was missing shots that he didn't miss in the first set," Brym said. "I was like ‘I might have a chance' so I just kept fighting."
The tie-breaker was tied at 6 with Brym serving. Brym was in full control until he made a crucial mistake by double-faulting.
Brym didn't let the mistake get to him. He rattled off three straight points to take the set 7-6 (9-7).
"At some point I showed that I wanted the match," Brym said. "Mentally, I think I got inside his head."
As the match moved into a third set tie-breaker, Andrews came out firing, taking a 6-2 lead.
Brym responded once again, scoring the next four points to tie the set at 6. Ball State's assistant coach Jeff Nevolo came over to fist bump Brym during a break in the action.
"I knew I had nothing to lose so I kept like was," Brym said.
Brym hit a volley into the net to give Andrews an 8-6 lead. Then Brym did exactly what he did in the second set, he ran off four straight points to take the match 10-8. Brym began fist pumping around the court as the spectators cheered.
"I think it was a big step for him," coach Bill Richards said. "It was a good win against a quality opponent so it shows what he's capable of."
Ball State lost to No. 23 Notre Dame 6-1, yet Brym's win may have been the spark Ball State has been looking for as it heads into Mid-American Conference play Friday against Northern Illinois.
"In March, I think I was 1-8 for the month," Brym said. "If I keep playing like [I did in Saturday's match], I'll be ready for MAC.
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