As the reigning Mid-American Conference Tournament champion, the Ball State men's tennis team hasn't let a strike of injuries derail it from high expectations for the spring season.
Senior Derek Carpenter said the team's goals this year are probably the highest they've ever been in his four years on the team.
"The other MAC schools are looking at us as the team to beat," he said. "It's a little bit different expectation for everyone else, but I think we still have that same expectation of winning the regular season, winning the tournament and getting into the NCAA Tournament."
Injuries and transfers of key players, however, may have an effect on how well the team can play, which will be on display this Sunday with Ball State's season opener at Northwestern.
Senior Cliff Morrison will miss the entire season with complications to both legs while senior Andres Monroy continues to deal with a hip injury. There is no timetable as to when he will return.
Junior Alex Doherty, who played frequently during the fall in both singles and doubles, transferred to Georgia Southern for personal reasons.
"It didn't remain a good option for him to stay here," coach Bill Richards said. "He had showed some promise at times during his career and had some bad luck with injuries and some illnesses. With our injury situation, he is someone that would've given us added depth and is someone who is definitely capable of stepping in there lower in the lineup in both singles and doubles. It definitely makes us even thinner with Alex having left."
With the injuries to Morrison and Monroy and Doherty's transfer, the Cardinals' depth decreases from 11 players to eight.
Despite a thin number of players, Richards said the issue is behind the team.
"We've dealt with it," he said. "I think the players that we have are capable of doing a good job and you do the best with what you have."
Ball State will have a better idea as to how well they can play with a thin lineup once play begins this weekend with Northwestern.
In addition to having a 10-man roster, the Wildcats defeated the Cardinals 6-1 last season in its home opener.
The Cardinals will try to avenge their road loss to the Wildcats and start the spring season with a win.
Senior Zane Smith said the key to victory starts with the doubles point.
"If you go out and play them close or win the doubles point, the entire atmosphere of the match changes," he said. "From there, guys start getting confidence up and then people start playing above the level that they get to. I think going in, playing really well in doubles and possibly winning that would really change the match."
First serve in the Northwestern match is at 2 p.m. Sunday in Evanston, Ill.
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