Sophie Quist, Ball State University's No. 1 singles player, was named Mid-American Conference Player of the Week Wednesday.
Katrina Lomidze, Miami University's No. 1 singles player, was also named MAC Player of the Week on Wednesday.
Something will have to give when the two square off Saturday as the Cardinals (7-12, 2-5 MAC) take on the Redhawks (9-12, 3-4 MAC) in Oxford, Ohio.
"I really didn't know what to think of that," Quist said. "I didn't really take much notice at all. I don't want to build up any expectations and just go out there and play and see what goes."
Last week, Quist defeated Northern Illinois University's Lilian Asuaje 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, and teamed with Haly Calderwood at No. 1 doubles in an 8-1 victory over Megan Brooks and Brooke Forsberg.
Lomidze also defeated NIU's Asuaje last week, 6-4, 6-1, and picked up an 8-5 win at No. 1 doubles with partner Linda Jirouskova over Brooks and Forsberg.
Lomidze is 5-16 on the year, all at No. 1 singles. Quist is 9-10 on the year, 6-8 at the No. 1 spot.
Bull said Lomidze is a streaky player, and Quist will have to avoid mental lapses to win.
"It just kind of depends on how hard [Lomidze's] willing to play," Bull said. "As a senior, we know Katrina as well as we know most of the players. If Sophie brings her good game and stays on and doesn't have her lapses, I think she has a great chance of taking that match."
At No. 3 singles, Jennifer Pollack continues to struggle. She has won once in her last 10 singles matches and is 0-7 in conference play. However, No. 4 singles player Christine Stromberg is 13-6 and 5-2 in the MAC.
Bull said she considered switching the two players in the lineup but ultimately decided against it.
"Right now, I think it'd stress [Stromberg] out of her comfort zone," Bull said. "Would it make a difference in our team? I'm not 100 percent sure, and I'd rather her be a little more comfortable right now."
Ball State will also look to put a dent in Miami's domination of the Cardinals. The Redhawks have won 30 out of their last 31 matches against the Cardinals. Last season, Ball State lost 6-1 in the regular season and 4-1 in the opening round of the conference tournament.
"That makes us all the more determined because we're all aware that it's possible we can win," Quist said. "Hopefully, it will happen."
The improvements the Cardinals have made, coupled with Miami's vulnerability, give Ball State a pretty good chance of winning on Saturday, Bull said.
"I just think that now would be a really good time to crank up our game one more notch and see if we can surprise them a little bit," Bull said.
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