One Thompson sister is out, and the other one is in the lineup this weekend as Ball State takes to the road to face Northern Illinois and No. 53 Western Michigan this weekend. Jessica Thompson, who was forced to serve underhand last weekend due to injury, will sit out, which ascends Allison Thompson into the starting rotation.
"That means that singles shifts around," coach Kathy Bull said. "That means that you have a new doubles team, so everyone gets shifted in doubles as well."
The first match of the weekend will be against the Huskies in DeKalb, which will be the last match the Cardinals can really feel comfortable in.
"This first match against Northern Illinois is just about the most important match we've played so far," Bull said. "It really determines our placement in our conference, and we feel we match up pretty well against them."
Still, the already young Cardinal squad will be without Jessica Thompson, who is one of only three letterwinners on the team and usually plays the No. 2 singles.
"It's not what you desire," Bull said. "But the bottom line is it what we have what we have, and we have to do what we can. We can make it as big an obstacle as we want it to. It will be very interesting to see how different players react to the situation."
The Cardinals then move on to Kalamazoo to face the Broncos, who Bull anticipates going undefeated in Mid-American Conference play.
"The toughest part of our MAC schedule is starting right now," Bull said. "I wish we were stronger and healthier. We have some young players who will have to play above their age level and experience level this weekend."
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