The Ball State University women's tennis team looks to make strides by improving from a 5-13 record last season.
Cardinal coach Kathy Bull has her players going through a 12-week off-season conditioning program that she believes will improve her players' stamina and fitness that go into making it through a whole season.
"The off-season is going much better this season compared to last due to the 12-week program each girl is going through," Bull said. "Competing and playing more in the offseason and checking in with me - everyone is staying on task which makes our team more ready."
Bull said last year was a struggle for her team because the amount of injuries and illnesses that held them back. This injury prone lineup has doubled up on their training programs that Bull said should offset some of the injury problems from last year, making the girls better prepared for the upcoming season.
"They will go through a battery of fitness tests once the season starts to test how hard they have been pushing themselves in the offseason," Bull said. "And if they fail those tests, they will be given extra conditioning to catch up with the rest of their teammates."
Ball State has brought in freshman that Bull said should add excitement and energy to their lineup, with each recruit bringing their own special talents and qualities to the team. Annica Darud from Schotom, Sweden, has potential to be a top player and has brought high hopes from coach Bull. Paola Rodriguez from Puerto Rico is a high-energy individual that can take a spot away from someone in the lower lineup, Bull said.
"Another key addition to our team is Lauren Pickerel from Ohio," Bull said. "She is a doubles specialist that we could definitely use. She played a lot of doubles in high school and that is where we need to fill in some holes."
Two-year senior from Kansas Katherine Rist will be returning and Bull said she hopes she will bring depth and experience for the younger players.
Disappointed in last season, the women's team looks to raise the bar and take care of the weaknesses last year's team had. Due to the inexperience in their lineup, the team has set a goal to win half of its matches this season. Bull said for her team to obtain this goal, the doubles teams must improve.
"We have to turn our mentalities into something positive and try to be the best that they can be," Bull said. "If we stay healthy we can accomplish that."
Bull said that her team has to be hungrier and has to want to win more than the other teams in order to make an impact in the MAC Tournament.
"This team has to learn how to take personal ownership with their outcomes," Bull said. "We are a young team, but we are determined to improve."
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