Ball State University Athletics
Women's Tennis Team Honored By MAC
April 27, 2016 | Women's Tennis
MUNCIE, Ind. - Ball State head women's tennis coach Max Norris has been named the 2016 Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year. In addition, Peyton Gollhofer and Carmen Blanco earned All-MAC first and second team accolades, respectively.
"I would like to thank my fellow MAC coaches, it means a lot to be awarded this honor from them," Norris said. "I would also like to thank all the people I work with everyday who help myself and our program: Judy Stearns, Patty Duncan, Zach Barge, Justin Overmyer, Brock Hagerman, Pat Quinn, Karin Lee, Mark Sandy, Robin Carter, Bill Richards, Paula Haughn, Daniel Roman and Jared Mueller. Finally, I would like to thank Tessa Lyons my assistant coach and my team. Their hard work and character is the reason I am receiving this distinction. We will keep working to make this a championship program.”
This is only the fourth time in program history Ball State's head coach has received MAC Coach of the Year accolades and the first since 1995. Norris made history this season after leading the Cardinals to the program's first MAC regular season championship and the most wins, 20, in Ball State women's tennis history.
Gollhofer was named first team All-MAC and Blanco garnered second team All-MAC honors for the first time in their careers. Gollhofer is currently second on the team in singles victories (23-7, 4-3 MAC). She played at the No. 1 singles position as a true freshman 12 times, going 8-4. Gollhofer also teamed up with Audrey Berger at No. 2 doubles, finishing the regular season 16-5 overall and 6-1 in conference action.
Blanco earned second team All-MAC accolades and currently leads the Cardinals in singles victories. Blanco ended regular season action 24-11 overall and 6-1 in league play. She owns a combined 14-5 record on courts one and two. She also clinched the win over Toledo last week for the Cardinals after her straight set victory at No. 2 singles.
"I am happy for Peyton and Carmen," Norris said. "Playing No. 1 and No. 2 singles is not easy and they have held down those spots for us this year very well. I think they both bring something different to the table and that helps our lineup have more diversity. I hope they use this as motivation to build on in the tournament and for next season."
The Ball State women's tennis team (20-3, 7-1 MAC) is set to compete as the No. 1 seed at the 2016 Mid-American Conference Tournament Saturday in Oxford, Ohio. The tournament will be hosted by No. 2 Miami. The Cardinals will take on No. 4 Akron or No. 5 Buffalo at 10 a.m. Ball State suffered its lone MAC loss to the Bulls, 4-3, on April 10. Ball State defeated Akron, 4-3, on April 8.
