Four matches remain before the Ball State University women's tennis team opens up its conference season against Miami University on March 22.
The Cardinals (4-3) will get two chances to improve for conference play this weekend when they match up Friday against the University of Memphis and Saturday against Tennessee Tech University.
"I am really excited for this weekend," sophomore No. 1 singles and No. 2 doubles player Sophie Quist said. "We arrived in Tennessee two days prior to our first match, which means we have a great opportunity to get used to their indoor conditions and to get a feel for the courts and be relaxed going into [the first] match."
Ball State will begin play against a Memphis squad that has already improved from its 1-17 campaign a year ago. The Tigers (4-4, 0-1 Conference USA) are coming off a 4-2 win against Murray State University on Tuesday.
Memphis sophomore Ashley Murdock boasts an 11-2 combined singles and doubles record this season, including a perfect 7-0 mark at No. 1, 2 and 4 singles.
Quist said if she is to play Murdock, who has an eight-match winning streak, she is looking forward to the challenge of toppling an undefeated opponent.
"I love playing as the underdog," said Quist, who is 3-3 this season at No. 1 singles. "I like the challenge and will be ready to play."
The Cardinals have not played Memphis in recent years, but Ball State participated in the Memphis Fall Invitational in October. The Cardinals were 3-1 in matches against the Tigers, getting singles wins from freshman Hayley Hall, senior Jennifer Pollack and junior Emma Retter.
"In that match, it took me too long to come up with a good plan," Hall said. "I think I will be more prepared this time around."
On Saturday, Ball State will play Tennessee Tech (2-5). The Golden Eagles are also coming off a win in their most recent match, defeating the University of Evansville 4-3 Sunday, and have won two of their last three matches.
Freshman Mirela Cano leads Tennessee Tech with a 6-7 combined singles and doubles record this season, including a 3-3 record at No. 1 and 2 doubles.
Ball State also played against Tennessee Tech in October in the Memphis Fall Invitational, going 1-1 against the Golden Eagles.
Friday's match against the University of Memphis begins at 2 p.m.
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