Junior Aaron Phillips was the only Cardinal to lose his match Wednesday, but the loss has a lasting effect on the Ball State University men's tennis team.
After winning the first set, Phillips forfeited his singles match because of an ankle injury during the Cardinals' 6-1 win against IPFW.
"The injury was the downside of the win today," coach Bill Richards said.
Richards said the athletic trainers still do not know the seriousness of Phillips' injury.
Phillips is the Cardinals' No. 2 singles player and on the No. 2 doubles team. In his past five singles matches, Phillips has won one match.
Teammate Jose Perdomo said Phillips' injury will affect the line-up in upcoming matches.
"Everyone is going to move up a spot," Perdomo said. "Guys that have not been playing that much lately are going to have to step it up to get the job done...I don't think [Phillips] will be ready to play Saturday."
The Cardinals' next match is Saturday against Northern Illinois University.
Richards said the time-off between matches will help Phillips' ankle recover.
"For Aaron, it's a good thing we don't have anything coming up," Richards said.
Against IPFW, Richards switched the Cardinals' line-up.
Joe Epkey, who is normally the No.1 singles player, did not play singles in the match. Although, Epkey played doubles with Perdomo and beat Nabil Mourad Filho and Renan Constantino, 8-4.
"We had to rest Epkey," Richards said. "He was beat up physically."
Perdomo filled in for Joe Epkey at the No. 1 singles position. Perdomo won his match against Mourad Filho, 4-6, 6-4 (10-5).
Richards said he felt confident in Perdomo at No. 1.
"Perdomo has been playing pretty well, so we went ahead and put him ahead of Phillips," Richards said.
Jarrod Epkey also did not play singles and only played doubles against IPFW. Jorge Rodriguez and Jarrod Epkey beat Arturo Salgado and Nathan Toles 8-5 in the No. 2 doubles match.
Richards said he is resting Jarrod Epkey so he will be ready for Northern Illinois.
In addition to these line-up changes, Bret Berryman was moved up to play No. 3 singles Wednesday and defeated Nathan Jones, 6-2, 7-6 (0). Joe Vallee was also moved to play No. 4 singles, and he defeated Salgado, 6-0, 6-1. Tetta Oyama was added to the lineup today to play in the No. 5 singles position where he defeated Renan Constantino, 6-1, 6-4. Jimmy Brannon also won his singles match against David Lynall, 6-2, 6-0. Brannon also played No. 3 doubles with Phillips.
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