While Ball State may have only won 25 percent of it's singlesmatches this weekend, coach Kathy Bull still writes the weekend upas a success.
After losing three of their six starters from last year and theinduction of five new players, a young Cardinals team faced stiffcompetition from several opponents from around the Midwest,including a couple Big Ten schools.
"I think the tournament was about what I expected it to be,"Bull said. "We had a lot of new players in unique situations."
While the Cardinals failed to reach the finals in any of thethree flights, most of their losses came against players fromIndiana and Illinois, the two Big Ten schools in thetournament.
Jessica Thompson led the way when she went 2-2 in singles andteamed up with Jenny Batty to go 2-2 in doubles. She advanced tothe semifinals in Flight B singles before being eliminated byCecile Perton of Indiana 6-3, 6-0.
"I think Jessica Thompson played very well," Bull said. "Sheshowed a lot of a lot of strength in her two wins and even in herloss."
Another highlight that Bull noted was freshman Stephanie Farrar,who won her first match before falling in the second round the theFlight C draw.
"When she competes she brings it up a level or two than what sheshows in practice," Bull said. "She showed me what I saw when Irecruited her."
The rest of the team had mixed results, with several playersstruggling and no one earning a winning record overall in thestacked tournament.
Of the six schools in the tournament, the Cards face four in2004 and lost all four with 7-0 decisions.
The Cardinals will continue to work on their game as theyprepare for their hosting invitational in early October.
"Some lessons were forced down our throats this weekend, so tospeak," Bull said. "Some good lessons."
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