Ball State's tennis teams will end the regular season this weekend on two very different notes.
The men (17-8, 4-0 Mid-American Conference) have already clinched a share of the MAC title, and will be looking to grab sole possession of the award against Northern Illinois (11-8, 1-2 MAC).
"We have to make sure not to get complacent," coach Bill Richards said. "We have to make sure, as I like to say, we don't get fat and happy. In all honesty, we haven't had the best week of practice.
"It's human nature to have a letdown after a big win, but championship teams don't let that happen. We have to go in there and believe it is for the championship, we have to play with that mindset."
Northern Illinois ended Ball State's MAC tournament hopes last season with a 4-3 victory over the Cardinals in the second round. However, the team has lost a number of players last season and has already dropped matches to Buffalo and Western Michigan
"They've took some losses for last season, in terms of personnel," Richards said. "They have four freshman in their starting lineup."
The match will also likely pit the two top candidates for MAC Player of the Year against each other with Matt Baccarani facing Willy Gali.
"[Gali]'s going to vie with Baccarani for that award. There's really no one else in the conference who will vie for the title," Richards said. "So, that will add a little extra emphasis."
The match will be the final home match for seniors Matt Laramore, Paul Newman, Klint Knable and Brad Rhodes.
"It's a big match for our seniors, a lot of emotions," Richards said. "It will be a special day for those guys."
The women (13-7, 3-4 MAC), meanwhile, travel to two of the MAC's toughest schools: Marshall (14-7, 6-1 MAC) and Miami (14-6 , 5-2 MAC), who are currently second and third, respectively, in conference standings. Both schools have had a history of success in the MAC.
The Cardinals are a young squad, with only three upperclassmen on the team.
Also, the Cards will be without the services of sophomore Jessica Thompson, who sat out last weekend due to an elbow injury.
"Her doctors have her out for an indefinite period of time," coach Kathy Bull said. "We're not counting on having her [for the MAC Championships].
"If you look at our schedule, this is probably our toughest back-to-back set of matches, especially with four freshmen in the lineup and everybody up a spot."
The Cardinals will only be fighting for seeding in the MAC tournament, which Ball State will be playing host to. The best the Cardinals can do is earn an even record.
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