The Cardinals only get three days to prepare for what may be their toughest challenge thus far. Michigan State comes to Muncie on Sunday to face the undefeated Ball State.
Michigan State (2-4) arrives following two losses at home to Eastern Michigan and DePaul, and will visit Miami (Ohio) before facing Ball State (3-0).
The Cardinals lost their last meeting to the Spartans 7-0, and coach Kathy Bull knows it may not be easier this time around.
"There's no doubt about it. We know the team; they're very good," she said. "They have a lot of big hitters, and they play a very assertive brand of tennis."
In the coming weeks, Ball State will start its in-conference play, as well as facing No. 36 Indiana.
"We're going to kind of approach it that the heat is going to be turned up next few matches, which is a mentality you have to work on when facing Big Ten schools," she said. "I mean, the name implies they think they're bigger, so I need to have the team prepared and know that everyone will be challenged."
Bull says that facing teams like Michigan State is important.
"If you continue to play the Daytons and Wright States of the world, you get a false sense of security," she said. "The human body reacts differently to different challenges, so what you have to do is expose the team to all kinds of teams."
Michigan State is 0-2 on the road, but has only traveled to No. 33 Virginia and No. 6 Vanderbilt.
"Everyone will have to step her game up," Bull said. "Especially the mental part of tennis."
Bull has some personal experience in the matter, playing at Winona State.
"When I was a player playing Big Ten teams or the big schools, it was my favorite thing to do," she said. "And I have to convey that message to my team."
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