Ball State University will try to stay atop the food chain in Indiana as the men's tennis team will play Indiana State University Sunday.
The Cardinals are 4-1 on the year against in-state opponents. Unlike other varsity sports, Ball State and Indiana State don't appear to have a recruiting battle for local talent.
"I guess I never thought about it that way," coach Bill Richards said. "Indiana State doesn't have many Americans on their team so I guess it's not much of a factor there."
The 0-9 Sycamores have one American on their roster. Their coach left the team in the fall.
The lack of Americans on Indiana State's roster is not surprising. The Indianapolis Star ran an article in Sunday's paper on how the three largest schools in the state - Indiana University, Purdue University and the University of Notre Dame - don't have a single Hoosier on their men's tennis rosters.
Out of the four major schools, 7-6 Ball State is the only team that has Indiana players with three freshmen. Ball State has two in-state recruits coming in next year. Ball State itself has six international players.
"I'm pretty aware of it. I know the players of all those teams," Richards said. "Every coach sets the direction of recruiting. We try to get the best players from as close as possible."
The match with Indiana State begins at 1 p.m. Saturday in Terre Haute.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
