The Ball State men's tennis team finished last year's successful campaign ranked 71st nationally.
This year's season has already gotten off to a fast start.
The 68th-ranked Cardinals easily defeated Wright State 7-0 Wednesday afternoon to improve to 1-0.
Going into the match, head coach Bill Richards was concerned about his squad maintaining focus.
"We came out with the right attitude," Richards said. "Sometimes when you play a team you're supposed to beat, you slack off a bit."
The No. 1 doubles pair, brothers Tony and Jarrod Epkey, won 8-2 against Brian Butt and Lance Koetter of Wright State. At No. 2 doubles, Joe Epkey and Joe Vallee won their decision 8-3, and at No. 3 doubles Patrick Thompson and Jose Perdomo took their match 8-2.
"Certainly everyone did well," said Richards, while specifically pointing out the contributions of Jan Polhamus and Danny Vidal at No. 5 and No. 6 singles and the all-around effort of Joe Epkey.
What is even more impressive is that Ball State won without senior Matt Baccarani, who is the No. 1 singles player on the squad and would normally team with Patrick Thompson at No. 1 doubles.
Baccarani was serving the first of his two-game suspension for his involvement in the textbook scandal that took place earlier in the year. On Tuesday, the Fila Collegiate Tennis Rankings were released and placed Baccarani and Thompson at #4 in the nation at the doubles position.
Richards cautioned about being too excited about the match.
"We can't put too much stock in the easy victory," he said.
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
