After going 3-0 last weekend, Ball State goes on another road trip, this time heading to Bloomington for a doubleheader against Indiana State and No. 24 Indiana.
The Hoosiers have an impressive arsenal, including a ranked singles player in No. 30 Dora Vastag and two ranked doubles teams -- No. 44 Martina Grimm and Sarah Batty, and No. 45 Karie Schlukebir and Linda Tran. Batty is BSU junior Jenny Batty's sister.
"I know their program very well," coach Kathy Bull said of the Hoosiers. "They have good top players, great depth -- it's going to be a tough matchup. I want to go in and play free, not worry about it. The odds say they're supposed to take it to us, so I want us to go in and just not worry about the result."
While Bull has some worries about the Hoosiers, she said she is going to reserve them for the time being and not get too anxious.
"I am a little worried about how we're going to match up with IU," she said. "But I'm not going to worry about that until 1:30 Saturday, because we don't play until 2:30."
The Sycamores bring a 3-5 record to their matchup, the earlier of two Saturday matchups. Indiana State does hold victories over IUPUI, Dayton and Bowling Green.
"The majority of my thoughts and concerns go into match against Indiana State," Bull said. "It's a team we don't know very well. They have a new coach, and I think that sometimes what a new coach does is give the team a new new zest for life, so to speak."
The Cardinals (6-3) are optimistic going into their matchup with Indiana State, despite the Sycamores' recent victory over Bowling Green.
"I look for my team to step up, especially after this last week, and really have a good match," Bull said.
Bull said that the extended weekend caused them to take more time off from practicing, but when they returned, she was finally able to focus on something that needs to be improved: doubles.
"That one point makes such a difference going into singles play, to go from having to win four to three," she said. "That's a specific step we've taken, we're narrowing the focus now."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
