Ball State University Athletics
Women's Tennis Opens Season Thursday When Wright State Visits Muncie
January 17, 2006 | Women's Tennis
When 18th-year head coach Kathy Bull describes the 2006 Ball State women's tennis team, the words strength, physical and more experienced come to her mind. She also believes this season's squad will have a new set of goals to strive for.
"Our goals are more pressing this year," Bull says. "Last year's conference season did not go as planned. We had a good pre-conference record and then, due to injuries, we were unable to perform at the level we expected. All of our efforts since day one of this year, have been to improve upon that finish. We believe we have the personnel to accomplish this. The question each of us need to answer is will we follow the plan before us, prepare daily to make this happen and execute when called upon."
Last year's Cardinals finished with a 14-10 overall record, including a 3-6 Mid-American Conference mark. The squad defeated Toledo in the first round of the league tournament, then fell to Western Michigan in quarterfinal play. Bull would like her team to improve upon the 2005 season's results and reach for new goals.
"We are willing to put pressure on ourselves this year. In the end, we will have the answers that we are seeking and we will be the only people responsible for the outcome. Overall, our main goals are to be in the top four in the MAC, win 70 percent of our non-conference matches and put at least one player on the All-MAC team.
"We are a more seasoned team this year than last. Our rookies from last year learned a great deal. They know what to expect and expectations for them are high. In addition, we are a physically better conditioned team with greater strength. Our match stamina has been increased. The next step is to step up to the pressure of competition.
"We are developing better leaders, which we need and will rely on heavily. I want and expect this team to take ownership of our program in hopes of increasing their desire to achieve more."
Five letterwinners return to attempt to reach these goals and expectations, including lone senior Katie Owens. Owens posted a 15-15 overall singles record in 2005, while compiling a 19-12 doubles mark. Last fall, she went 7-5 in singles play and 6-4 in doubles.
"Katie had her best fall here at Ball State. She seems more settled in her role. I expect her to be a strong leader both on and off the court. She has improved on both the doubles and singles court."
Also returning for the Cardinals in 2006 is lone junior Jessica Thompson, a 2005 Academic All-MAC recipient. Thompson brings a 43-31 career singles record and a 37-29 career doubles ledger into the 2006 campaign.
"Jessica has worked hard on fitness. She needs to be strong and healthy. If she can do those things, we can expect a lot from this young woman. I have high expectations for her both on and off the court. Not only is she a sound doubles player, she has a strong serve and can play an all court game."
Three sophomores return after successful freshman seasons, including Stephanie Farrar. She played mostly at the No. 3 through No. 6 singles positions and posted a 23-6 record. She also competed at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles, registering a 20-16 mark. Farrar added the squad's best singles mark this past fall at 9-6.
"Stephanie is one of the best competitors that has ever come through this program. She is extremely coachable and her great doubles instinct makes people around her better. She has worked on strengthening her front court game as well as her serve. Stephanie has a very bright future."
Fellow sophomore Haly Calderwood returns for another year in the Cardinals lineup. Calderwood owns a 21-26 career singles mark and a 26-22 doubles tally. She competed mostly at the No. 2 through No. 5 singles positions and at No. 2 doubles last year.
"Haly is an extremely hard worker. Fitness is one of her greatest strengths. She has worked hard on the strength component this fall. Overall she is a great team player, has a big serve, is developing solid doubles techniques and has improved her volley."
The final sophomore returning in 2006 is Jennifer Pollack, who has several collegiate matches under her belt. Pollack's 2005 fall campaign included a 7-5 singles record and a 5-6 doubles mark.
"Jennifer worked hard over the summer and her efforts really came through this fall. She has a much improved serve and backcourt game. She is working hard on her front court skills and has high expectations for herself both on and off the court. Her success will be directly correlated to our team's success."
Two freshmen join the Cardinals this season, including England native Emma Retter and Indiana native Sarah West. Retter competed in several matches this fall, going 5-8 in singles and 4-6 in doubles.
"Emma has shown great desire to be an integral part of this team. She is fun to work with and is learning a lot as she goes. She has added strength and fitness to her game. Her future looks bright and she is not afraid to learn about herself. She is willing to work hard to get to the next level."
West, who hailes from Carmel, Ind., played in nine singles matches last fall.
"Sarah has a great attitude and is willing to work hard to become a better player. She brings solid fitness aspects to the team. She is a very coachable young woman who has improved her serve and backcourt game."
The Cardinals' non-conference schedule begins Jan. 19 when Wright State visits Muncie. Ball State opens MAC play March 24, when it travels to Toledo.
"Our schedule is well balanced from January to April. We will compete at different levels throughout, ranging from nationally-ranked programs like Indiana, Kansas and Western Michigan, to leaving our region and playing virtual unknowns out of the South. We will be well tested prior to the MAC season."
After finishing tied for seventh in the league last season, Bull would like to see her squad move up in the standings in 2006.
"We want to improve our league finish. With the loss of Marshall, more attention will be given to Western Michigan and Miami. Miami may be the surprise team this year. We should be able to provide a good challenge to those top two teams. Staying healthy and peaking at the right time are keys to our success."
