Ball State University Athletics
COACH O'S BLOG -- S1 E2: January 26, 2026
January 26, 2026 | Men's Tennis
Coach O's Ball State Men's Tennis Blog
Ball State men's tennis coach Gene Orlando pens a newsletter to Cardinals fans, parents and alumni that is shared in the blog below.
Monday, Jan. 26, 2026
Dear Cardinal Tennis Family,
The Cardinals picked up two wins this past weekend with a 4-3 win over Bellarmine, and 7-0 over IU East.
Our match against Bellarmine got a little tricky as we let the doubles points slip away to go down 0-1. It's always tough to earn four singles matches against a good team, but the Cardinals responded with great starts in singles. Playing with great energy and with great fan support, we were able to win 4 out of 6 first sets and our Cardinal will pushed us through to close out the match.
We got great singles straight set wins by our #1 Jacks Lancaster, #2 freshman Andrei Caragea, #3 junior Drew Hayward and #5 freshman Zack Kimelman.
We Learn. We Grow. We Get Better. The Cardinal Way.
CARDINAL HARD HAT
The Cardinal Hard Hat recognizes exceptional effort, toughness, a blue collar mentality and leadership by example.
This week's hard hat selection is senior Jacks Lancaster for his gritty effort and his big win at #1 singles leading the charge against Bellarmine. Jacks has been plagued by injuries this entire season and it's great to see his patience and resilience pay off. We will need a healthy and confident Jacks Lancaster when we begin the MAC season.
GREEK'S PIZZERIA IN THE VILLAGE
Where does the Ball State men's tennis team go to celebrate two wins on the weekend? Greek's Pizzeria in the village owned by Ball State tennis alum Rafael Domenech. Thanks for fueling our team Raffie, and providing a great team bonding experience at Greek's in the Village. Cardinal Tennis Proud.
UP NEXT
The Cardinals are on the road this Saturday, January 31st with a dual match against the Dayton Flyers. The match will be played at the South Regency Tennis Center at 4pm.
South Regency Tennis Center
3020 West Tech Rd
Miamisburg, Oh 45342
937-885-5000
Live Stream will be available.
COACH'S CORNER
Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts. There's only one growth strategy … Work Hard and good things will happen. GGI!
BILL RICHARDS TO BE INDUCTED INTO INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS HALL OF FAME
Congrats to Coach Bill Richards on his Indiana High School Tennis Hall of Fame induction! His 53-year career at Ball State impacted Indiana high school tennis by recruiting in-state talent and promoting the game. Join the celebration on February 6th at 502 East Event Center in Carmel. Contact Debby Burton at 317-250-6891 or burtond@centergrove.k12.in.us for tickets. Seats are limited.
SAVE THE DATES
Friday, March 27
Alumni/Team and Senior Weekend Celebration Banquet @ BSU Alumni Center
Preparations for our team banquet and senior weekend are under way and we would love to have you join us. It's a great opportunity for friends and fans to meet our outstanding players. It will be a very special night to celebrate our seniors our team and program.
Wednesday, April 1
One Ball State Day
Join us for our eighth annual One Ball State Day on Wednesday, April 1 and support our Cardinal tennis program.
Thanks for your support of our Cardinal tennis program. Your support and friendship make a difference and truly impact our student athletes on and off the court.
Cardinal Tennis Pride,
Coach O
Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026
Dear Cardinal Tennis Family:
We couldn't have scripted our match any better against Xavier University last Saturday with a gritty 5-2 win. Our first win of the season, our first match a 1st Serve Muncie Racquet Club and my first win as your Head Coach (click this link for a fun video).
The Cardinals played with a ton of energy and belief taking the doubles point and we were able to withstand Xavier's singles comeback by our willingness to compete and make balls and refuse to go away. Cardinal Tough. (add a period)
We Learn. We Grow. We Get Better. The Cardinal Way.
CARDINAL HARD HAT
The Cardinal Hard Hat recognizes exceptional effort, toughness, a blue collar mentality and leadership by example. This award is given out weekly. This week's winner is Zack Kimelman. Zack had a great week of practice,and even getting extra reps before practice. Zack picked up a huge come-from-behind win against Xavier at #6 Singles (4-6, 6-3, 6-4).
UP NEXT
The Cardinals return to action this Saturday, January 24 with a doubleheader against the Bellarmine Knights at 12pm, and IU East at 4pm. The match will be played at the 1st Serve Muncie Tennis Center at Ball State. Live Stats and Live Stream will be available. Click here for schedule information.
COACH'S CORNER
You don't always get what you wish for, you get what you work for. The dream is free but there's a price to pay for the journey. GGI! (Go Get It)
SAVE THE DATES
Friday, March 27
Alumni/Team and Senior Weekend Celebration Banquet @ BSU Alumni Center
Preparations for our team banquet and senior weekend are under way and we would love to have you join us. It's a great opportunity for friends and fans to meet our outstanding players. It will be a very special night to celebrate our seniors our team and program.
Wednesday, April 1
One Ball State Day
Join us for our eighth annual One Ball State Day on Wednesday, April 1, and support our Cardinals Tennis Program. Let's dominate!
Thanks for your support of our Cardinal tennis program. Your support and friendship make a difference and truly impact our student athletes on and off the court.
Cardinal Tennis Pride,
Coach O
Ball State men's tennis coach Gene Orlando pens a newsletter to Cardinals fans, parents and alumni that is shared in the blog below.
Monday, Jan. 26, 2026
Dear Cardinal Tennis Family,
The Cardinals picked up two wins this past weekend with a 4-3 win over Bellarmine, and 7-0 over IU East.
Our match against Bellarmine got a little tricky as we let the doubles points slip away to go down 0-1. It's always tough to earn four singles matches against a good team, but the Cardinals responded with great starts in singles. Playing with great energy and with great fan support, we were able to win 4 out of 6 first sets and our Cardinal will pushed us through to close out the match.
We got great singles straight set wins by our #1 Jacks Lancaster, #2 freshman Andrei Caragea, #3 junior Drew Hayward and #5 freshman Zack Kimelman.
We Learn. We Grow. We Get Better. The Cardinal Way.
CARDINAL HARD HAT
The Cardinal Hard Hat recognizes exceptional effort, toughness, a blue collar mentality and leadership by example.
This week's hard hat selection is senior Jacks Lancaster for his gritty effort and his big win at #1 singles leading the charge against Bellarmine. Jacks has been plagued by injuries this entire season and it's great to see his patience and resilience pay off. We will need a healthy and confident Jacks Lancaster when we begin the MAC season.
GREEK'S PIZZERIA IN THE VILLAGE
Where does the Ball State men's tennis team go to celebrate two wins on the weekend? Greek's Pizzeria in the village owned by Ball State tennis alum Rafael Domenech. Thanks for fueling our team Raffie, and providing a great team bonding experience at Greek's in the Village. Cardinal Tennis Proud.
UP NEXT
The Cardinals are on the road this Saturday, January 31st with a dual match against the Dayton Flyers. The match will be played at the South Regency Tennis Center at 4pm.
South Regency Tennis Center
3020 West Tech Rd
Miamisburg, Oh 45342
937-885-5000
Live Stream will be available.
COACH'S CORNER
Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts. There's only one growth strategy … Work Hard and good things will happen. GGI!
BILL RICHARDS TO BE INDUCTED INTO INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS HALL OF FAME
Congrats to Coach Bill Richards on his Indiana High School Tennis Hall of Fame induction! His 53-year career at Ball State impacted Indiana high school tennis by recruiting in-state talent and promoting the game. Join the celebration on February 6th at 502 East Event Center in Carmel. Contact Debby Burton at 317-250-6891 or burtond@centergrove.k12.in.us for tickets. Seats are limited.
SAVE THE DATES
Friday, March 27
Alumni/Team and Senior Weekend Celebration Banquet @ BSU Alumni Center
Preparations for our team banquet and senior weekend are under way and we would love to have you join us. It's a great opportunity for friends and fans to meet our outstanding players. It will be a very special night to celebrate our seniors our team and program.
Wednesday, April 1
One Ball State Day
Join us for our eighth annual One Ball State Day on Wednesday, April 1 and support our Cardinal tennis program.
Thanks for your support of our Cardinal tennis program. Your support and friendship make a difference and truly impact our student athletes on and off the court.
Cardinal Tennis Pride,
Coach O
Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026
Dear Cardinal Tennis Family:
We couldn't have scripted our match any better against Xavier University last Saturday with a gritty 5-2 win. Our first win of the season, our first match a 1st Serve Muncie Racquet Club and my first win as your Head Coach (click this link for a fun video).
The Cardinals played with a ton of energy and belief taking the doubles point and we were able to withstand Xavier's singles comeback by our willingness to compete and make balls and refuse to go away. Cardinal Tough. (add a period)
We Learn. We Grow. We Get Better. The Cardinal Way.
CARDINAL HARD HAT
The Cardinal Hard Hat recognizes exceptional effort, toughness, a blue collar mentality and leadership by example. This award is given out weekly. This week's winner is Zack Kimelman. Zack had a great week of practice,
UP NEXT
The Cardinals return to action this Saturday, January 24 with a doubleheader against the Bellarmine Knights at 12pm, and IU East at 4pm. The match will be played at the 1st Serve Muncie Tennis Center at Ball State. Live Stats and Live Stream will be available. Click here for schedule information.
COACH'S CORNER
You don't always get what you wish for, you get what you work for. The dream is free but there's a price to pay for the journey. GGI! (Go Get It)
SAVE THE DATES
Friday, March 27
Alumni/Team and Senior Weekend Celebration Banquet @ BSU Alumni Center
Preparations for our team banquet and senior weekend are under way and we would love to have you join us. It's a great opportunity for friends and fans to meet our outstanding players. It will be a very special night to celebrate our seniors our team and program.
Wednesday, April 1
One Ball State Day
Join us for our eighth annual One Ball State Day on Wednesday, April 1, and support our Cardinals Tennis Program. Let's dominate!
Thanks for your support of our Cardinal tennis program. Your support and friendship make a difference and truly impact our student athletes on and off the court.
Cardinal Tennis Pride,
Coach O
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
Men's Tennis // Coach Orlando First Win Celebration
Saturday, January 17
Men's Tennis // First home match of the season preview
Friday, January 16
Men's Tennis // Bill Richards Celebration
Tuesday, November 18
Homecoming // Cardinal Sinners! Presented by Gameday Spirit
Friday, October 17