The Ball State University women's tennis team responded under pressure in dominating fashion away from home.
After Northern Illinois University took the doubles point, the Cardinals (7-12, 2-5 Mid-American Conference) won five of the six singles matches in a 5-2 victory Friday.
"It put us in a place to find something out about ourselves," coach Kathy Bull said. "I saw everybody really step it up. We had our backs up against the wall and it came down to those singles points. I saw a lot of resolve with my team."
Haly Calderwood arguably played her best match of the year at No. 2 singles, defeating Jenny Edner 6-2, 6-4. Edner played No. 1 singles last year for the Huskies.
"She was focused and got a little nervous at the end, but she worked through it," Bull said. "Edner seemed like she was all over the place and Haly went after those weak spots."
Ball State freshmen Sophie Quist, Christine Stromberg and Katherine Rist continued their strong seasons. Quist defeated Lilian Asuaje 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 while Rist won a hard-fought match over Megan Brooks 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.
Stromberg downed Brooke Forsberg 6-3, 6-2. The trio is growing up fast, Bull said.
"They're getting a lot of experience in a short period of time," Bull said. 'They're starting to get a little maturity about them. They handle competition really well."
Bull said she has also been impressed with the improvement of Emma Retter. The sophomore, who won her match against Dora Delgadillo, 7-5, 6-3, is 11-7 on the year after finishing 5-8 last spring. She is 5-2 in MAC play.
Jennifer Pollack dropped the first set to Nao Umemura 7-5, won the second set 6-3, but couldn't close it out as Umemura pulled out a 6-2 third-set win.
Calderwood and Quist picked up a doubles victory with an 8-1 win over Brooks and Forsberg.
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