Playing freshman in the lineup in nothing new for women's tennis coach Kathy Bull.
In the past, she has had four freshmen filling out the match-time roster. This year, they are playing a similar role.
That plan will not change this weekend when Ball State University plays host to Mid-American Conference foes Eastern Michigan University Friday and the University of Toledo Saturday.
Four freshmen on this year's team have seen significant playing time, with Bull usually playing three of them each match. Sophie Quist and Christine Stromberg have played in every match this season. Polina Askerko and Katherine Rist rotate in and out of the lineup depending on who has performed better during the course of the week.
"I wish they weren't freshmen," Bull said. "There are some growing pains they have to go through. We don't have a senior, so it's a double dose of medicine, so to speak. But for the most part, I'd say they've handled the situation pretty well."
Stromberg is 11-3 in singles play, playing at No. 4, 5 and 6 singles. Bull said she's very stubborn on the court, and that's a good thing.
"I don't even consider her a freshman," Bull said. "She has exactly the right type of demeanor to be successful at this level and I think we'll see a lot of that in her career."
Stromberg said she didn't expect to have this kind of success so early. The biggest adjustment has been going from an individualistic style she encountered in high school to a team-oriented style.
"I knew coming in that if I worked hard and listened to Kathy I could get better and hopefully be in the line-up making an impact," Stromberg said. "Part of it is just having the same girls to practice with at a high level and just being able to go out everyday and work really hard with people who are better than you and bring different challenges every day."
Sophie Quist made a smooth transition to No. 1 singles after starting off the year at No. 3. When Bull was recruiting the Australia native, Bull said she knew Quist was going to play a major role on this team, but not at No. 1 singles.
"She moves around the court well, has all the strokes and plays on both ends of the court," Bull said. "She's a very sound player, no doubt about it."
However, Quist is battling an injury right now. In last week's match against Akron, a blister on her right hand tore open during the second set. Quist said it is difficult to play through the match with the blister since the friction from the racket creates pain.
"It's really quite painful,' Quist said. "I just sort of have to block the pain out. I have to bear with it until it heals."
Quist is 7-7 on the year and 4-5 in the No. 1 spot.
Askerko is 2-7 on the year and Rist is 3-3. Rist has made her biggest mark at doubles, where she is 3-0 with sophomore Emma Retter at No. 3 doubles.
If you goEastern MichiganFriday 1 p.m. Cardinal Creek Tennis Center
If you goToledoSaturday 1 p.m. Cardinal Creek Tennis Center
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