Ball State entered the weekend expecting a tough match in less-than-ideal conditions at home against Michigan State, but on Friday, they got neither.
With some of the warmest temperatures of the year, and winds dying down after doubles play, the weather was nearly ideal for tennis in singles, and the No. 64 Cardinals cruised to a 7-0 victory over the No. 54 Spartans.
"I said going into the match, it was going to be an attitude match," coach Bill Richards said. "And whoever handled playing outdoors and had the right attitude would be successful, and I thought we did that from the start of the match."
The Cardinals continued their superior doubles play this season with No. 15 Matt Baccarani and Patrick Thompson defeating MSU's Andy Formanczyk and Nick Rinks 8-3 and Matt Laramore and Brad Rhodes scoring the 8-3 win over Adam Monich and Brian Compton.
Klint Knable and Paul Newman dropped the only set for the Cardinals all day, falling 9-8 (3) to Mike Flowers and Cameron Marshall.
"Once we got up in singles, quite honestly, Michigan State didn't handle it well and didn't fight as much as I thought they would," Richards said. "But I give our guys all the credit on that. They put themselves in positions to have the lead and be successful."
The Cardinals continued to have success from there, picking up all six first sets in singles, and from there, cruised to the 7-0 win.
"It was a situation where we played very well and had better attitudes, and they didn't play as well and didn't have the mindset as a coach you'd like to see," Richards said. "When both of these things happen, you get a blowout, and this was a pretty big blowout for college tennis."
The Cardinals continued to play well that night in their Mid-American Conference opener against IPFW.
Brad Rhodes, Mike Heule and Jan Polhamus all saw playing time in singles, while Polhamus and Danny Videl participated in doubles.
"As for IPFW, getting started on the MAC with a win," Richards said. "All ten of our guys who were healthy were able to play and contribute, putting capping on a great day. It was good to get through both of matches and get both of those wins."
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