Men's tennis DBall State University's men's tennis team is receiving a D because of the lack of improvement in stats from last season. Last year the Cardinals won the Mid-American Conference regular season and finished with an overall record of 18-6. This season Ball State did not have a .500 season. -áThe Cardinals finished the regular season with a 10-13 record and placed second in the MAC, falling short to Western Michigan University.
Women's Tennis COnce again, the Ball State University women's tennis team finished in the lower half of the Mid-American Conference, placing seventh. Like a lot of years, the Cardinals beat the teams it should have and lost to the ones it shouldn't have. If there is a bright spot, four freshmen - Sophie Quist, Christine Stromberg, Katherine Rist and Polina Askerko - contributed significantly this past season. This team probably should've finished higher than seventh.
Gymnastics BLed by seniors Kelly Watson and Jenna Tarkington, the Ball State University gymnastics team had a successful season topped off with a 193.400 score and a fourth place overall finish in the Mid-American Conference Championships. Watson earned a career high all-around score of 38.900, and Tarkington finished her Ball State career an individual MAC Champion by winning the vault competition for the second time in her career.
Men's golf CThe Cardinals struggled all spring season to find their swing. Their best performance of the season was at the Marshall Invitational, placing second out of 16 teams. Senior Wayne Denger has emerged as the lone leader, putting up the best numbers of any Cardinal. With three second-to-last place finishes in four tournaments, the Cardinals will have to make a good run in the Mid-American Conference Championships to consider 2006-07 a good season. Too inconsistent, coach Mike Fleck has struggled to find five core players to take with him to every tournament.
Baseball DYes, the baseball team lost more than most expected; however, most expected too much from a team that replaced six of nine batters in its line-up and the pitching staff ace and lost four players to the 2006 Major League Baseball draft. The biggest disappointment has been pitching. A team returning two of three weekend starters, the closer and a good portion of the bullpen should be better then ninth in the Mid-American Conference in ERA.
Women's golf BA young and talented Ball State University women's golf team had a positive year and is progressing toward an elite golf program.-á The Cardinals struggled to bring everything together at times this season, but they did manage to win the Butler Invitational in March as well as four first-place finishes over the course of the season.-áWith four underclassmen playing substantial roles this season, the team brings back a great deal of talent for the 2007-08 season.-á
Women's basketball ABall State University's women's basketball team experienced its most successful season in the program's 34-year history. The Cardinals, who were picked in the pre-season to finish third in the Mid-American Conference's West Division, were 24-6, won the MAC West title and advanced to the MAC Tournament's championship game. Ball State also hosted its first-ever Women's National Invitational Tournament game in an 85-82 loss to the University of Kentucky.
Men's volleyball BThe Ball State University men's volleyball team finished fourth in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association regular season and No. 13 in the national rankings. Against nationally ranked teams the Cardinals were 3-9, with home wins against No. 10 IPFW Feb. 23, No. 15 Pacific University March 24 and No. 6 Ohio State University April 13. Outside attacker Nick Meyer had a team-high 434 kills and finished his collegiate career in fifth place on the Cardinals' all-time kills list with 1,415.
Women's swimming BThe Ball State University women's swimming and diving team placed seventh overall in the Mid-American Conference Championships, but despite the low placing, the team had individual success in the meet. Senior Mary Brinkoetter had the highest placing for the team, finishing the 200-yard backstroke in fifth place and earning a spot on the second-team all-MAC squad. Fellow senior Brittany Sayler finished the same event in sixth place. Also having success was junior diver Stephanie Paul. Paul finished the meet in 10th place on the 3-meter diving board and qualified for the NCAA Zone Diving Championships.
Men's swimming CThe freshmen-laden Ball State University men's swimming and diving team had minimal success this season as they placed last at the Mid-American Conference Championships. Scoring individually for the team, however, was sophomore Kyle Hembree, who earned a seventh-place finish in the 1,650-yard freestlye, and senior Adam Konopka finished eighth overall in the 200-yard backstroke. Senior Zach Whitaker finished his college career with a seventh-place finish on the 3-meter diving board and another trip to the NCAA Zone Diving Championships.
Men's basketball FMen's BasketballA school record for losses in a season, one of the worst field goal percentages in the country and a team that didn't improve as the season went on are just a few of the reasons Ball State University's men's basketball team got a failing grade. While Skip Mills and Anthony Newell had respectable seasons, no other player lived up to their billing. First-season coach Ronny Thompson struggled from the get-go and could not get his team to avoid long scoring droughts.
Softball BUnder first year coach Craig Nicholson, the Ball State University softball team has improved from the previous four years. One of the highlights of the season has been the power at the plate for the Cardinals. The team broke the Ball State single-season home run record of 18 March 14. Junior Abby Gross broke the career home run record and currently has 14. The weakness this season for Ball State has been the defense. To this point, the Cardinals have committed 83 errors.
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