Even the No. 4 doubles duo in the nation, seniors Matt Baccarani and Patrick Thompson, couldn't figure out a way to defeat the University of Michigan.
The Ball State University tennis team struggled early in their sets against No. 48 Michigan before losing 5-2 to the Wolverines. After defeating Northwestern last week 3-0 in doubles, the Cardinals were swept in their doubles matches against Michigan (2-0).
"I don't know what happened in doubles," Head coach Bill Richards said. "For whatever reason we just came out flat. I think we actually underestimated them, which is crazy when you play a team that is highly ranked," Richards said.
Baccarani and Thompson suffered their first loss of the season on Saturday, 8-5. Richards said they will have to accept the role they play as a highly-ranked duo that other doubles teams will be trying to upset.
"Matt and Patrick have to play nearly their best every time they play," he said.
In singles play, Baccarani and senior Tony Epkey were the only Cardinals to earn victories. Baccarani defeated his nationally ranked opponent, Matko Maravic, 6-2, 6-1, and Epkey came back to record a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory over his opponent.
Richards said he was pleased with the way Epkey bounced back from his loss last week and that Baccarani continues to play really well against the No. 1 singles players in the Big Ten.
Aside from the two singles victories, Richards found little to be excited about his team's performance this weekend.
"You can't spot someone two easy wins and expect you're going to win all the rest of them, and that's really what has happened in each of the last two weeks."
The Cardinals (2-2) will travel to Champaign, Ill. on Saturday to take on Illinois.
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