The days of Porchia Green, Audrey McDonald, and Kiley Jarrett leading to Ball State to victory are gone. Memories of those days are all that remains.
The press clippings of a Mid-American Conference Tournament championship and an upset of Tennessee in the first round of the NCAA Tournament are fading away. A team rebuilding for the future is what in on the floor every game for Ball State.
Toledo, 20-8, made sure everyone at Worthen Arena were aware it was one of the top teams in the MAC and that Ball State had fallen.
The 2011 team is youthful with three freshmen seeing significant time on the floor. Brandy Woody, Jazmin Hitchens, and Jordan Huber haven't just been asked to contribute, but have been thrust into significant role players right away.
So it comes to no one's surprise that Ball State has not had prolonged success in 2011.
"It's hard to pick up the team," coach Kelly Packard said. "When you've been going at this since August it's harder to push on."
A 67-49 loss to Toledo was just another in a season filled with losses. Ball State, in the midst of a six game losing streak, sits at 9-17 overall and 4-9 in MAC action.
Last season, the Cardinals were inconsistent and finished with a 14-17 record. Ball State would follow big wins up with disappointing losses. This season, Ball State has just been out-gunned.
"This has been the most difficult year in my coaching history, even as an assistant," Packard said. "We're playing a lot of young kids for most of the season and trying to keep them encouraged and preserving. It's been a battle."
Packard said she's seen gains in the play of the seven freshmen and sophomores on the roster.
However, improvements aren't enough for seniors like Ty'Ronda Benning and Emily Maggert who have a handful of games left in their collegiate careers.
"This season has been challenging, but it's not like I don't enjoy it," Benning said. "I can help Brandy and Jazmin because I can help them in ways that they can be better next year and turn the program around."
Despite the second straight losing season being all but cemented into place, Packard remains upbeat. She glows about sophomore Mercedes Miller having games like her seven point, one turnover performance against Toledo in 30 minutes. Packard raves about Woody and quality minutes she provides Ball State at guard.
Ball State may be losing, but Packard is banking on the development of young players through experience early on in their careers.
"Brandy has been given a whale amount of minutes and responsibility as a freshman," Packard said. "Am I disappoint in her? No. Not at all."
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