Ball State University's first weekend will be like taking the Litmus test, women's tennis coach Kathy Bull said.
Bull compared this weekend's first competition, the Bronco Invitational hosted by Western Michigan, to the test because she said she'll be using this first contest to see where her team is as the 2005 season begins.
"We just need to see where we stand," she said. "Now we need to see who the true competitors are, and put it on the line."
Ball State's own Litmus tests will include players from the University of Illinois-Chicago, Indiana, Marquette, Minnesota and Western Michigan.
Indiana was ranked 36th in the country at the end of last season and has several members ranked in both singles and doubles in the pre-season. Seniors Sarah Batty, sister of former Ball State player Jenny Batty and Dora Vastag are ranked 82nd and 90th, respectively, in singles. Its doubles team of Batty and Laura McGaffigan are ranked 19th, as well.
Ball State starts the season unsure of who will be on its own two doubles teams. Sophomores Haly Calderwood and Stephanie Farrar and junior Jessica Thompson are some of the players who will be considered for the number one doubles team. Bull said she hopes to figure the lineup as soon as possible and in the meantime will use several different combinations.
"By the third tournament, I'd like to have one or two doubles teams with some continuity," Bull said.
Warm temperatures during practice and tough conditioning leading up to this weekend have been brutal for freshmen Emma Retter and Sarah West, Bull said. But they've begun to adjust to the collegiate level.
"They're a little bit overwhelmed," she said. "The nerves are settling a little bit."
All seven will probably play, Bull said, including sophomore Jennifer Pollack and senior Katie Owens.
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
