Ball State University Athletics
Photo by: Bobby Ellis (Ball State Creative Services)
Men’s Tennis Set to Open Spring Slate at Indiana Saturday
January 09, 2026 | Men's Tennis
MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State men's tennis team will open its spring schedule Saturday when it plays at Indiana University. The match is set to begin a 4 pm ET at the IU Tennis Center in Bloomington.
"Our team is excited to kick off the season with a great opponent in Indiana," Ball State first-year head men's tennis coach Gene Orland said. "We have had a great week of preparation and we are playing well! The score card may tilt heavy in Indiana's favor but there's no doubt we can compete with anyone and we are up for the challenge."
The Cardinals begin a new era under Orlando. Orlando who is a former Ball State men's tennis standout and hall of famer, was announced as Ball State's head coach on June 30, 2025 after former head coach Bill Richardsannounced his retirement after 53 years at the helm of the men's tennis program.
Orlando has spent the last three seasons as Richards' assistant coach. Prior to returning to his alma mater, Orlando was the head coach at Michigan State for 31 seasons before retiring after the 2022 campaign. The winningest men's tennis coach in MSU history, with 361 victories, he was also the longest-tenured men's tennis coach in the Big Ten Conference.
Ball State returns five players from last year's squad, Jenson Bicanic, Broc Fletcher, Drew Hayward, Jacks Lancaster, and Anthony Shalakov along with welcoming five newcomers, Andrei Caragea, Nolan Hayward, Zack Kimelman, Jeremy Milette, and Ryan Richards.
After this weekend, the Cardinals will host Xavier on Jan. 17 at noon at the Cardinals' new indoor tennis facility, First Serve Muncie which is located at 3500 N Chadam Lane.
"Our team is excited to kick off the season with a great opponent in Indiana," Ball State first-year head men's tennis coach Gene Orland said. "We have had a great week of preparation and we are playing well! The score card may tilt heavy in Indiana's favor but there's no doubt we can compete with anyone and we are up for the challenge."
The Cardinals begin a new era under Orlando. Orlando who is a former Ball State men's tennis standout and hall of famer, was announced as Ball State's head coach on June 30, 2025 after former head coach Bill Richardsannounced his retirement after 53 years at the helm of the men's tennis program.
Orlando has spent the last three seasons as Richards' assistant coach. Prior to returning to his alma mater, Orlando was the head coach at Michigan State for 31 seasons before retiring after the 2022 campaign. The winningest men's tennis coach in MSU history, with 361 victories, he was also the longest-tenured men's tennis coach in the Big Ten Conference.
Ball State returns five players from last year's squad, Jenson Bicanic, Broc Fletcher, Drew Hayward, Jacks Lancaster, and Anthony Shalakov along with welcoming five newcomers, Andrei Caragea, Nolan Hayward, Zack Kimelman, Jeremy Milette, and Ryan Richards.
After this weekend, the Cardinals will host Xavier on Jan. 17 at noon at the Cardinals' new indoor tennis facility, First Serve Muncie which is located at 3500 N Chadam Lane.
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Tennis
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/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
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