The Ball State University women's tennis team has its work cut out for it Friday when it plays host to three-time defending Mid-American Conference champion Western Michigan University.
The Broncos' (12-7, 5-0 MAC) seven losses this season have come against ranked opponents, and they are 3-3 against Big Ten teams, including a 5-2 win against No. 57 Minnesota.
"[Western Michigan] represents our conference; they set the bar for the rest of us," Ball State head coach Kathy Bull said. "Their coach is a friend of mine and somebody that I have a ton of respect for."
Western Michigan is led this season by senior Priyanka Parekh and junior Kerstin Pahl. Parekh, a 2007 Second Team All-MAC selection, has a 20-14 combined singles and doubles record this season. Pahl, a 2007 First Team All-MAC selection and 2006 MAC Freshman of the Year, has a 24-13 combined singles and doubles record this season, including 12-6 mark at No. 1 singles.
Bull said she hopes her team's recent matches against the Broncos will set the bar for the Western Michigan match.
"In the past, we've played some of our best tennis against Western Michigan," Bull said. "I hope we can play that way [Friday]."
On Saturday, the Cardinals return to action against Bowling Green State University (14-2, 3-2 MAC).
The Falcons boast sophomore Katia Babina, whose 25-5 combined singles and doubles record includes a 13-1 record at No. 3 doubles with partner Samantha Kintrel. Bowling Green also is led by freshman Christine Chiricosta, who has a 24-8 combined singles and doubles record this season, including 12-4 record at No. 1 doubles with partner Kelsey Jakupcin.
The Cardinals have taken two of the past three matches from the Falcons, and Bull said she hopes the upperclassmen on the team will remember the intensity of those matches that have included two 4-3 Cardinals victories and Bowling Green's 5-2 win last season.
"It's always an edgy, high-anxiety kind of match," Bull said. "We've gotten in a few of those kind of matches this season but we have stalled of late."
Bull also said her team is looking forward to a pair of home matches after playing the last four matches on the road.
"I think everybody is really looking forward to it," Bull said. "Being at home is a good thing, but there's so much depth and parody within the conference, and there's definitely no easy days."
Both matches will be played at the Cardinal Creek Tennis Center at 1 p.m., weather permitting. If outside conditions are not favorable, the Cardinals will play in the YMCA Tennis Center.
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