At six points each, the no. 1 doubles match could've went to either team. But freshman Courtney Wild and sophomore Kristel Sanders dug in to win their doubles match. However, the Cardinals' singles play failed them and they lost the overall match, their third loss in a row, 5-2.
From six-all, Ball State continued to play with a lead in the match, as the score became 7-6, seven-all, 8-7 then eight-all. At eight-all, the doubles point became narrowed down to one first-to-seven set.
Ball State won the set, 9-8 (4).
Their doubles victory was a much-needed one for the Cardinals, as the Vikings had both lost and won a doubles match, making Wild and Sanders' match vital to securing the doubles point.
The no. 3 doubles team of senior Dena Boulieris and junior Lauren Pickrel fell to Cleveland State, 8-2, while the no. 2 tandem of freshman Ashlyn Rang and senior Sarah Hebble beat Alex Power and Alexandria Bush, 8-4.
With the doubles point in hand, the Cardinals had all the momentum going into singles play.
However, Ball State couldn't do much with its momentum, as it went just 1-5 in singles play.
No. 1 Wild beat Maria Lazaris 6-1, 7-5, the only singles win of the night.
No. 2 Kristel Sanders lost to Catrine Bjerrehus 2-6, 7-5, 6-7 (2). Bjerrehus, like Sanders, is also from Europe. Bjerrehus is from Aarhus, Denmark. Sanders' match was the longest of the evening, as she lost the first set, then had to win the second on a tiebreaker, then was forced into yet another tiebreaker in the third set.
"I think (Sanders is) disappointed because she feels she could've come out of that with a win, but she's the type of kid that will find a way, especially as we get going in the season. Lots more matches, she'll find ways," Ball State head coach Christine Bader said.
In the second set of no. 3 singles player Rang's match, she ran up to the net to volley, and her knee locked up. She lay on the ground for several minutes before returning to finish her match. Bader said after the game that it was a hyperextension. It is unknown at this time if she will be forced to miss any time due to the injury.
"In my mind this match was a rollercoaster, lots of ups and downs," Bader said. "I was glad to see the team's energy was the same the entire match. Obviously I think they're disappointed and I think this will kind of a thorn in our side. I think if we can bounce back from this, we can prove we're a really great team."
Ball State's next match is next Friday at Marquette at 4 p.m.
For more women's tennis coverage, follow @Matt_D_McKinney on Twitter.
Read More
Ball State football’s blowout loss to Ohio summarizes failed season
By Kyle Smedley / 31 minutes agoAfter the Bobcats’ 42-21 routing, the Cardinals finished the season with their worst record since 2017.
Ball State football pushes through outside noise ahead of Black Friday game against Ohio
By Kyle Smedley / YesterdayThe Cardinals are setback by injuries and early transfer portal entries heading into the final game of the season against the Bobcats.
