In January, women's tennis head coach Christine Bader said her team could surprise some teams in the Mid-American Conference this year.
After going 0-8 in conference play this season, Ball State may have its last chance today, when it plays Toledo in the first round of the MAC Championship.
The Cardinals earned a No. 9 seed in the tournament after going 6-15 overall in the regular season. It finished the year with a 7-0 loss to Miami, the eventual No. 1 seed.
"I'm just a big believer in 'everything happens for a reason,' so you take your losses and learn from them, and they become more wins in the future," Bader said.
The Rockets are coming into the match with the Cardinals with a 9-12 overall record and a 2-6 mark in the MAC.
"[Toledo] will be the best scenario because we've played a team that we've had opportunities to beat," Bader said. "We should've beaten them."
Ball State lost to Toledo 4-3 in its previous matchup on March 31.
The Cardinals began the match winning the doubles point, but lost four of its six singles matches.
Freshman Courtney Wild and senior Dena Boulieris were Ball State's lone winners on the singles side.
Wild beat Kelsey Anonsen 6-7 (2), 7-6 (5), 10-4, and Boulieris won by default.
Despite its record, the Cardinals don't feel any pressure in its last chance for a conference win against the Rockets.
"It'll be a good chance for us because there won't be pressure," Bader said. "They're supposed to beat us because they're the higher seed. We'll be amping it up for sure."
Ball State's match against Toledo will start at 1 p.m. in DeKalb, Ill.
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