Ball State University Athletics
Behrman and Desai Commit To Women’s Tennis Program
December 20, 2019 | Women's Tennis
MUNCIE, Ind. - Ball State women's tennis coach Max Norris, who enters his seventh-season at the helm of the Cardinals, announced today the commitment of Isabelle Behrman (Burris Indiana Academy) and Emily Desai (Greenwood, Ind./North Central) to play for the Cardinals.
Behrman will join the squad in the fall of 2020 while Desai will immediately start competing this spring.
A local player, Behrman has competed at the No. 1 singles position for Muncie Burris for the past three years, registering a 51-10 overall singles mark. A three-time Pioneer Academic Athletic Conference (PAAC) Champion (2017, 2018, and 2019), Behrman also earned All-Conference and All-Academic PAAC awards in 2019. As a sophomore, Behrman advanced to the final four of the 2018 IHSAA individual state finals and was selected All-State Second Team in singles for the past two seasons.
Academically, Behrman has accepted an admission to the Ball State Honors College and has been granted the Presidential Scholarship. She plans to work towards a double major degree in chemistry and Spanish. Following graduation from Ball State, Behrman would like to pursue a master's degree in materials science and engineering.
Behrman's father, who is the current Muncie Burris girls tennis coach, played men's tennis at Ball State under head coach Bill Richards from 1995-1999.
"Isabelle is an extremely hard worker and a great person," said Norris. "She has a solid foundation as a player and also has a lot of room to grow in college. Isabelle comes from a family with rich tradition in college tennis with her Grandfather Steve who is a great coach and her father Neil, who played here at Ball State. I believe Isabelle will enhance our culture and add to our annual pursuit of championships."
Desai will begin her career as a Cardinal this spring. In 2019, Desai received All-State and All-Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference (MIC) honors for her success at No. 1 singles.
Desai has also had a successful United State Tennis Association (USTA) career, reaching the semifinals of the girls 18 doubles at the 2019 Midwest Closed junior championships and the 2016 semifinal round at the UTSA girls 16 singles national level three championships.
Desai is currently ranked 148th in the country for the class of 2020 and No. 4 in the state of Indiana, according to tennisrecruiting.net.
"Emily is a very seasoned and multi-talented player," Norris said. "Emily brings a wealth of winning experience and an amazing attitude to Ball State. She is an excellent student as well which will greatly add to our culture of being great students and players. Furthermore, Emily comes to us after having worked with Bryan Smith - who played at Ball State. We know she will appreciate and understand what it means to play here."
The Cardinals will open their spring 2020 season on Jan. 17 at IUPUI.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State women's tennis team, please follow @BallStateSports and ?@BallStateWTN.
Behrman will join the squad in the fall of 2020 while Desai will immediately start competing this spring.
A local player, Behrman has competed at the No. 1 singles position for Muncie Burris for the past three years, registering a 51-10 overall singles mark. A three-time Pioneer Academic Athletic Conference (PAAC) Champion (2017, 2018, and 2019), Behrman also earned All-Conference and All-Academic PAAC awards in 2019. As a sophomore, Behrman advanced to the final four of the 2018 IHSAA individual state finals and was selected All-State Second Team in singles for the past two seasons.
Academically, Behrman has accepted an admission to the Ball State Honors College and has been granted the Presidential Scholarship. She plans to work towards a double major degree in chemistry and Spanish. Following graduation from Ball State, Behrman would like to pursue a master's degree in materials science and engineering.
Behrman's father, who is the current Muncie Burris girls tennis coach, played men's tennis at Ball State under head coach Bill Richards from 1995-1999.
"Isabelle is an extremely hard worker and a great person," said Norris. "She has a solid foundation as a player and also has a lot of room to grow in college. Isabelle comes from a family with rich tradition in college tennis with her Grandfather Steve who is a great coach and her father Neil, who played here at Ball State. I believe Isabelle will enhance our culture and add to our annual pursuit of championships."
Desai will begin her career as a Cardinal this spring. In 2019, Desai received All-State and All-Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference (MIC) honors for her success at No. 1 singles.
Desai has also had a successful United State Tennis Association (USTA) career, reaching the semifinals of the girls 18 doubles at the 2019 Midwest Closed junior championships and the 2016 semifinal round at the UTSA girls 16 singles national level three championships.
Desai is currently ranked 148th in the country for the class of 2020 and No. 4 in the state of Indiana, according to tennisrecruiting.net.
"Emily is a very seasoned and multi-talented player," Norris said. "Emily brings a wealth of winning experience and an amazing attitude to Ball State. She is an excellent student as well which will greatly add to our culture of being great students and players. Furthermore, Emily comes to us after having worked with Bryan Smith - who played at Ball State. We know she will appreciate and understand what it means to play here."
The Cardinals will open their spring 2020 season on Jan. 17 at IUPUI.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State women's tennis team, please follow @BallStateSports and ?@BallStateWTN.
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