Though it's not on the schedule, the Ball State University women's tennis team will compete this weekend at a unique event.
Not unique as in playing eight matches in two days like the team endured earlier this season at the Ball State Invitational, but different because of the players competing in the United States Tennis Association/Intercollegiate Tennis Association One Set Tournament this Saturday.
"It's pretty special to have junior players, collegiate athletes and other amateurs competing in the same event," coach Kathy Bull said.
The all-women tournament will be played at the Muncie YMCA starting with singles play and then continuing with doubles.
Bull said this type of event really helps tennis grow in the community.
"Since any female ITA member can compete, it helps tennis at every different level of play," Bull said. "In fact, possibly the No. 1 ranked 12 year old in the Midwest, who lives in Indy, may be coming up to play."
When setting up the event, Bull said she wasn't sure how good the turnout would be.
"I have a friend up at Western Michigan who set up the same type of tournament and only had five people sign up," Bull said. "We've had 18 so far, so that makes me feel good about the event."
Freshmen Kylee Johnson, Hanna Ohman and Dena Boulieris and senior Rachel Surowiec will all compete in singles play and freshman Sara Hebble will compete with Boulieris in the doubles draw.
After this weekend, Bull said the players will work on one or two specific elements of their game they need to improve before they head home for the winter break.
"Each players may need to work on something a little different from the next," Bull said. "Someone may need to work on their serve and volley, where someone else may need to adjust their forehand stroke a little. Everyone will work on staying in shape, though." The Cardinals started going to a spinning class two weeks ago in order to work on fitness and might go to the pool to do some workouts, Bull said.
"We'll work about eight hours a week, and only two of those we'll have rackets in our hands," Bull said. "We are going to be slowing some things down during this break until January. Just have more time to study, and let the ladies recuperate from the fall, and enjoy college life some more."
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