A developing trend has hit Ball State University, and it's not a good one for the men's tennis team.
The Cardinals were unable to snap their losing streak to Big Ten Conference teams as they lost to Purdue University 5-2 on Sunday. Despite having several chances to win the match, Ball State could not capitalize and had multiple missed opportunities - a trend that has hurt the Cardinals all season, coach Bill Richards said. "It really comes down to each individual," Richards said. "It's happening to our seniors and it's happening to our younger players as well. It's just a problem with our team right now."
Ball State had a chance to capture the doubles point, but freshmen Zane Smith and Shaun Bussert lost their No. 3 doubles match 8-4 despite having a 4-1 lead. Sophomore Eduardo Pavia and senior Jose Perdomo's 8-7 victory was the only doubles win against the Boilermakers.
Pavia was able to win the first set in No. 2 singles against Purdue's Branko Kuzanovic from Serbia 7-6. Pavia, who was grunting during his volleys at different times of the match, took the second set 6-1 for the point. Freshman Cliff Morrison won in straight sets 7-5, 6-2 at No. 6 singles to give the Cardinals their second point.
Pavia and Morrison were the only Cardinals to win singles matches this season against Big Ten Conference opponents.
The Cardinals could not sustain leads in singles play just like they couldn't against Michigan State University last week.
Perdomo had a 3-2 lead in No. 1 singles before Purdue's Slavko Bijelica defeated him in straight sets. Freshman Andres Monroy had a 4-3 lead in the first set of No. 4 singles, but went on to lose 6-4, 6-3.
"I was up 4-3 serving, and he played well and I made bad decisions," Monroy said. "I will have to work on that."
Bussert made a comeback at No. 5 singles against Roberto Cabrini of the Boilermakers. Bussert won the second set 7-6 after losing the first one 3-6. Bussert was unable to win the tiebreaker 8-10 as Purdue already had the 4 points needed to win before Bussert had finished his second set. Senior Jorge Rodriguez was defeated in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2.
"This match was very close," Richards said. "The doubles point was very winnable. If the match was on the line and you are playing a whole third set I would have liked Shaun's chances in that situation. Monroy at No. 4 had chances. I felt like the match was very winnable just like the Michigan state match."
Ball State is 5-5 on the year with all five losses coming against Big Ten Conference schools.
"Everyone makes a big deal about the name," Monroy said. "MAC teams can beat Big Ten Teams for sure."
Conference play starts Friday against Chicago State University.
"We've beaten five teams that are not too good and we've lost to good teams so it is hard to evaluate where we're at right now," Richards said. "We wanted to beat a couple of Big Ten teams and we didn't do that. From that standpoint I'm disappointed."
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