Men’s Tennis Ends Shortened Season On High Note
April 17, 2020 | Men's Tennis
MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State men's tennis team's 2020 spring season was officially canceled in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Cardinals wrapped up this year's action with an 8-5 overall mark while closing out spring play on a high note after posting a 6-1 win at UC San Diego in their last competition on March 8.
Despite the season coming to an early close, the Cardinals had successfully taken the doubles point from 11 of their 13 opponents, including Big Ten foe Michigan State on Jan. 25. The doubles tandem of Thibault de Negri and Parrish Simmons led Ball State in doubles play with an unblemished 7-0 ledger. The twosome played mainly at the No. 2 position, owning a 6-0 mark on court two while also pairing up for a win at the No. 1 position against IU Southeast.
Simmons claimed his first Mid-American Conference Men's Tennis Player of the Week honoron Feb. 19. He earned the award after registering a match-clinching victory against Cleveland State. He defeated Kade Mindry in a three-set thriller, winning the third frame, 7-6 (5), to secure a 4-3 victory for Ball State. Simmons andfellow freshman Vince Orlando led the Cardinals in dual action with 9-4 overall singles records.
Longtime coach Bill Richardsetched his name further into the Ball State men's tennis record book by earning his 700th career victory Feb. 1 at home against Wright State. Richards,in his 48th season at the helm of the Cardinals, guided his team to a 7-0 victory over the Raiders.
Richards began his head coaching career with the Cardinals in 1973. The winningest men's tennis coach in Ball State and Mid-American Conference history, Richards has amassed a 705-434 (.618) overall record and a 217-64 (.772) conference ledger for his career. Richards has coached 17 teams to undefeated regular seasons and 38 MAC regular and or/ tournament championships, with the first conference title coming in 1984. Richards has also garnered MAC Coach of the Year accolades 15 times and has made eight NCAA tournament appearances.
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