Ball State wanted revenge this weekend against Miami. The Cardinals might not have gotten vengeance in their 4-1 loss to the RedHawks in the first round of the Mid-American Conference, but they feel they did earn some respect.
"We had nothing to lose and everything to gain," coach Kathy Bull said. "For us it was a matter of respect, because we didn't think we had that."
The Cardinals fell out in the second round of the tournament to the fourth-seeded Miami. While the final score was 4-1, the Cardinals were much closer to the RedHawks then they were in their previous meeting.
Melissa Roach dominated Katrina Lomidze, winning 6-3, 6-2. While Jenny Batty and Susan Kelley fell quickly, Katie Owens forced Megan Zimpfer into a third set before falling 6-0, 3-6, 6-2. Jill Wieman was up 6-4, 4-1 before her match was ended early.
"Miami just got to four ever so slightly before we could get there," Bull said. "We fought hard. I always told my women the one thing I want them to leave my program with is the ability to fight for anything."
Miami lost to eventual champion Marshall in the next round.
It was the final time Roach, Wieman and Kelley will play for the Cardinals. Roach was the only one who was able to score the victory for the Cardinals in her final outing, but all three had a tough fight.
"You go out and you give it all you got," Bull said. "Then you walk away and say 'Hey, I gave it my best shot, and they were just a smidgen better than us.'"
The Cards end the season with an 11-9 record, with a 5-4 record in the MAC, their best in conference record since they finished 5-1 in the 1996 season.
The Cardinals were able to avenge bad losses to Bowling Green and Northern Illinois last year, and they feel they have earned respect from Miami.
"When I sit back and reflect on the year, we avenged a couple of big losses from a year ago, we did it well, without any injuries," Bull said. "We should have made Ball State proud with out effort."
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
