After Ball State University lost to DePaul University Sunday, men's tennis coach Bill Richards emphasized learning from mistakes and using them as motivation.
"It's definitely very big for us to just play a lot better," Richards said.
The Cardinals defeated IUPUI Saturday, but lost to DePaul Sunday in a match Richards said the team should have won.
Joe Epkey, Aaron Philips and Jarrod Epkey will remain the top three singles players, Richards said. He also said Joe Epkey and Jarrod Epkey, and Philips and Jorge Rodriguez will remain the top two doubles teams. However, the rest of the lineup is not set and might change.
After the disappointing loss, Joe Epkey said it is good to get on the court again so the team can move on from Sunday's loss.
"I'm really excited," Joe Epkey said. "It gives us a chance to somewhat make up for a disappointing weekend."
Against DePaul, the Cardinals dropped two of the three doubles matches. During the fall season, Richards said that doubles was the weakest part of the team. However, he said there was no reason Ball State should have lost the doubles point to DePaul. The Cardinals will focus on winning the doubles point on Friday, Joe Epkey said.
"Anytime you play a team as solid as Northwestern, the doubles point is very important," Joe Epkey said.
Ball State will have to overcome the mental challenge of having a short week to prepare for Northwestern after Sunday's loss. Northwestern is a tough team that will challenge the Cardinals more than they were this past weekend, Joe Epkey said.
"They're a Big Ten team," he said. "They're good at every spot. They beat us last year and they're returning everyone. There's definitely some revenge we want to get on them."