As his team battled the University at Buffalo in doubles April 13, senior Danny Vidal sat on the sidelines, leaning forward in his folding chair.
Preparing to play his singles opponent, Vidal's eyes were looking forward, but his mind was remembering back.
During the final home stretch of Vidal's Ball State University tennis career, memories were cascading through his mind as he quietly stared off into the white walls of the YMCA tennis facility.
Memories of the past - the years since arriving at Ball State from his home country of Puerto Rico - came back to him. Memories of the people he has met, people like coach Bill Richards, who has been like a surrogate father. Memories of teammates, three of whom he recruited out of his native country, and how they have now become his brothers. Those memories were coming to an end.
"It's pretty emotional; it's been too fast," Vidal said. "It seems like yesterday I came here afraid of everything. It'll be emotional and sad when it's over, and I'm afraid for the future, but it's going to happen anyways. I'll just try to live up to the moment and enjoy it."
The Lone Loss
During his April 12 match against Western Michigan University, a contest for the No. 1 seed in the Mid-American Conference tournament, Vidal took his place on the sidelines. In the most important match of the season, the senior wasn't able to contribute on the court to the team he loved.
Looking up into the stands, the Broncos had more than 200 supporters cheering them on while Ball State had three fans and Vidal.
"No one cheered louder [during that match] than Danny," Richards said. "He was more vocal and louder than everyone else just so he might be able to help the people who are playing."
Vidal saw his team take an early lead after it won three opening sets against favored Western Michigan. The senior recruited each of the players who had won their first sets.
At No. 1 singles was freshman Eduardo Pavia. Pavia was the No. 1 junior player out of Puerto Rico before coming to Ball State. Without being prompted, Vidal spoke with Pavia and tried to convince the highly ranked junior to choose to be a Cardinal. The task wasn't easy, Vidal said, because at that time Pavia was also being recruited by top national programs such as North Carolina State University and the University of Louisville.
The senior watched as his freshman teammate faced junior Kevin Hayward, the Broncos' top player.
"[Pavia] came out on fire," Vidal said. "He played probably the MAC Player of the Year and just beat him really bad. What can you say about [Pavia]? The only thing he is going to do is improve. That's what you do here."
Court two and court four played host to two other Puerto Rican teammates.
Jose Perdomo, the Cardinals' No. 2 singles players, came to Ball State because of Vidal's influence. For most of the year, Perdomo has played No. 1 singles.
The No. 4 spot was junior Jorge Rodriguez, a good friend of Vidal's growing up. Rodriguez transferred from Vincennes University after a visit to the campus, Vidal said.
"He's a big part of Jorge, Jose and Eduardo getting here," Richards said. "Anytime you have a connection you use it. The way he has promoted the program and kept the Puerto Rican connection is special."
Vidal said he is happy he could help build the future of the team.
"My biggest accomplishment is my recruiting and building the program," Vidal said. "We're definitely in the right direction. We weren't expecting to struggle this year, but it's looking very, very good for the few years."
After the early lead, the Cardinals fell behind and were defeated 6-1.
"We gave ourselves a chance to win," Vidal said. "You really want to beat a rival all you can, especially your senior year. Those are hard losses that I won't forget."
Finding Family
During Vidal's freshman year, he was the unintentional odd man out.
The 2003-04 squad had 11 players, but Vidal said Richards would refer to the team as having only 10 players. Often Vidal, who never played a singles match that season, would be left out.
"If they had a big match, I would always be told at practice, 'go sit down while these guys practice,'" Vidal said. "I took it personally. I went back home and I worked really, really hard. I came into my sophomore year and in the last eight matches I won the sixth singles position. That's probably the proudest moment I've ever had here."
Vidal said he has been battling ankle injuries since his sophomore year. Those injuries and other recurring health problems have caused him to stay out of many matches in which he thought he should have played.
"I've been injured a lot, and I probably regret that the most," Vidal said. "As far as playing and coming here, I don't have any regrets. I love it, and this will always have a special place in my heart."
As Richards has watched Vidal play through his injuries, the coach said he sees the senior differently.
"He is very loyal and has always been fighting for a spot," Richards said. "I think I respect guys like that more than anyone. Through tremendous doubt and uncertainty about playing time on a daily basis, the guy has stuck with the program. I respect Danny a tremendous amount for that."
When he decided to come to Ball State one of the primary reasons was Richards, Vidal said. Holding Richards' coaching ability and history with Puerto Rican players already at high regards, Vidal said, he found a family that helped him grow during his time with Richards and his wife Sue.
"I came in as an immature little boy, out of my house for the first time, really far away, and he made sure I was comfortable and I enjoyed everything ... I will miss it," the senior said.
Senior Year
Once Vidal was healthy his senior season, the state of his team was not.
Starting the year with 11 players, the men's tennis team dropped to seven players by the spring season.
The team's biggest loss, and the largest blow to Vidal, was the permanent sidelining of fellow senior Jarrod Epkey to a back injury. Epkey had been battling back problems his entire career and was prepared for a possible final blow. Switching positions, Epkey moved to a coaching spot using his tennis knowledge to help his teammates grow.
However, in Epkey's absence as a player, Vidal had to become more of a leader within the team.
"[Epkey] established himself as a leader even before the season started," Vidal said. "I had to step up and be the leader for these younger guys, especially the freshmen, and let them know how things are run here and what it means to be a Ball State tennis player."
Finishing the season with a 4-1 record in conference play, Ball State will play as the No. 2 seed to the MAC tournament at Northern Illinois University on April 25-27.
As his senior season draws to a close, Vidal said winning the MAC tournament would be nice but going to the NCAA tournament would be better. After winning the MAC in 2005, Vidal went with his team to the NCAA tournament but said he could not take in the full effect when he had such a diminished role on the team. Now, despite the Cardinals' subpar spring season compared to past years, Vidal said, he wants the program to be the best it can.
"I just want to make sure that we go out on top while I'm here, and going to the NCAA would probably be the highlight of my career here," Vidal said. "Now that we can win the MAC regular season, it would mean a lot to me to go to the NCAAs and represent Ball State, coach, myself and my teammates."
With the loss to Western Michigan, Vidal might not get the chance to win the MAC and travel to the NCAA tournament.
After the defeat to their rivals April 12, Vidal saw a grim look cross his teammates faces.
"Let's look forward, and at our next meeting with them, we will get revenge," Vidal said trying to cheer them up.
Vidal knew he had to keep the team he helped to build confident during the final stretch of his senior season. Through the injuries, the trials, the wins and the losses, this was his family.
"Let's just stay positive," Vidal said. "Because better things are going to happen and good things will happen; I'll make sure of it."
Soon, Vidal stopped staring into the white walls of the YMCA tennis facility.
The senior sat up from his folding chair, threw his tennis bag over his shoulder and was finally ready to play a match of his final home stand of his Ball State tennis career.
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