Ball State University
Middle Tennessee
Peeler Clinches Win For Women's Tennis With Three Set Thriller
February 13, 2021 | Women's Tennis
MUNCIE, Ind. - Sophomore Emma Peeler won her third set tiebreaker on the top court to move the Ball State Cardinals (2-2) past the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (2-5) Saturday afternoon at the Northwest YMCA.
"That was a huge team effort today, Ball State head coach Max Norris said. "Middle Tennessee has a lot of great and talented players and they fought very hard. This team has been through a lot all year and to see them band together and stay together was amazing. Go cards!"
The Blue Raiders took the doubles point from the Cardinals, winning on courts three and one, respectively, to take the early 1-0 edge heading into singles play.
But it didn't take BSU long to knot the match after Jessica Braun's straight-set take down over Zani Barnard at the No. 3 spot. Shortly after, Livia Lukacs gave the Cardinals the lead at the No. 6 singles position with her 6-4, 6-1 defeat over Noelle Mauro.
The remaining four courts were all in third sets. Rebecca Herrington pushed BSU's lead even further after her three-set thriller at the No. 5 slot. The Cardinals had put themselves in position to win but Middle Tennessee took court two to make it a 3-2 match heading into the final two bouts.
Peeler started the match strong against Middle Tennessee's Lee Barnard at the top court taking the first frame fairly easily, 6-1. But Barnard would fight back to win the second 6-3 to send the competition to an extra set.
The third frame was looking pretty bleak for Peeler but she fought her way back to win the third set tiebreaker 7-6 (7-5) and sealed the victory for the Cardinals.
The Ball State women's tennis team will be back in action on Saturday, Feb. 20 at Youngstown State. First serve is at 11 a.m. ET.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State women's tennis team please follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateWTN.
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
3,1
#1 Singles Match
#2 Singles Match
#3 Singles Match
#4 Singles Match
#5 Singles Match
#6 Singles Match
Order of Finish:
3,4,6,5,2,1
Players Mentioned
