Friday and Saturday saw the capabilities of what the women's tennis team (9-11, 3-6) could accomplish on its home court by way of a pair of victories.
Friday the team cruised past Buffalo 6-1. The Bulls remain winless in conference play.
"I think the two programs are at different places and especially at the four, five and six positions," head coach Kathy Bull said. "We kind of rolled through those matches. It wasn't anything flashy. It was just old- fashioned hard work, and we took care of business."
Ball State swept the doubles matches. The No. 1 team of sophomore Jenny Batty and junior Melissa Roach won 8-5; No. 2 senior Alyce Zollman and sophomore Kara Sullivan won 8-2 and No. 3 sophomore Jill Wieman and junior Susan Kelley won 8-1.
In singles action No. 1 Roach won 6-1, 6-1; No. 2. Batty lost 6-3, 6-4; No. 3 Wieman won 6-4, 6-2; No. 4 Kelley won 6-0, 6-1; No. 5 Zollman won 6-0, 6-0 and No. 6 Sullivan won 6-0, 6-0.
Saturday the Cardinals posted a 6-1 victory over Akron.
Bull said her team played with more emotion and energy after the win against Buffalo on Friday.
"It's amazing what a victory will do on the previous day to give you that little boost of confidence," she said. "I think playing in that environment with some more spectators (made it) just a little bit more fun environment to play in, and I think we all enjoyed that."
In doubles action, No. 1 Brooks and Batty won 8-2; No. 2 Roach and Wieman won 8-2 and No. 3 Zollman and Sullivan won 8-2.
In singles action the only loss the Cardinals endured was at No. 1, Roach lost in two sets 6-4, 3-6 (3). In No 2. Batty won 6-3, 7-5; No. 3 Wieman won 6-3, 6-0; No. 4 Brooks won 6-2, 6-0; No. 5 Kelley won 6-2, 6-1 and No. 6 Zollman won 6-0, 6-1.
Home court has traditionally been kinder to Ball State this year. The two weekend victories push the team's record to 6-2 on home turf.
"It was nice to be able to play two matches outside because we have such a great outdoor facility," Bull said. "Everything just fell into place, and we've been waiting for that for five or six weeks. It couldn't have come at a better time."
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