RECAP: Ball State men's tennis starts 1-1 in MAC play

Senior Andrew Stutz won in straight sets during the match against Eastern Illinois' Jared Woodson on Jan. 22 at Muncie's Northwest YMCA. Stutz won both sets 6-1. Grace Ramey // DN
Senior Andrew Stutz won in straight sets during the match against Eastern Illinois' Jared Woodson on Jan. 22 at Muncie's Northwest YMCA. Stutz won both sets 6-1. Grace Ramey // DN

Mid-American Conference standings

1. Buffalo: 2-1 (7-4 overall)

2. Western Michigan: 1-0 (10-6 overall)

3. Northern Illinois: 1-1 (12-7 overall) 

4. Ball State: 1-1 (9-7 overall)

5. Toledo: 0-2 (9-9 overall)

6. Binghamton: 0-2 (4-10 overall)

Ball State men’s tennis went 1-1 against Western Michigan and Toledo in Mid-American Conference action.

On Friday, the Cardinals lost 5-2 to Western Michigan, but head coach Bill Richards said the team had opportunities to win.

“I thought we played a good match,” Richards said. “But it did not quite come through in certain situations.”

Senior Patrick Downs kept his singles matches winning streak alive against Western Michigan, beating Jannik Optiz in three sets. Richards said Downs played strong against Optiz.

In the first-flight doubles match, Andersen and senior Andrew Stutz beat No. 74 partners Daniel Loebel and Kennosuke Nouchi 6-2.

On Saturday, Ball State beat Toledo 6-1. Richards said the Cardinals showed resiliency and fight.

“Our guys really fought back after losing five first sets in singles,” Richards said.

In first-flight singles action, senior Lucas Andersen beat Stjepan Sisko in two sets. In the fifth flight, Downs kept his singles match winning-streak alive (11 matches), beating Reid Teatsorth two sets to one.

In doubles competition, Andersen and Stutz beat Sisko and Thawin Suksathaporn.

“I thought we played hard enough to win against Western,” Richards said. “It could have been better, but it would have been worst.”

The team returns to action Wednesday at Butler. The match begins at 4 p.m.

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