Ball State University Athletics
Friday, October 23
Muncie, Ind.
All Day
Ball State University
vs
MAC Indoors
October 25, 2026 | Men's Tennis
MUNCIE, Ind. - History was made in Muncie this weekend as the Ball State men's tennis team hosted the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Indoor Championships for the first time in program history. Under the guidance of second-year head coach Gene Orlando, the Cardinals welcomed the expanded seven-team conference field to First Serve Muncie for a high-stakes, three-day tournament from October 23–25, 2026.
The historic weekend was capped off by a monumental individual achievement, as Ball State's own Andrei Caragea captured the 2026 MAC Indoor Singles Championship title. By winning the top singles flight, Caragea has earned a prestigious opportunity to compete in the ITA Conference Masters Championships in Rome, Georgia. He will proudly represent the MAC in the tournament, which serves as a direct qualifier for the 2026 NCAA Individual Championships.
"What a phenomenal run by sophomore Andrei Caragea," Orlando said. "When Andrei finds his groove and starts dictating play from the baseline, he is absolutely unstoppable—and now he is the 2026 MAC Indoor Singles Champion! It was incredible hosting the MAC Indoors in Muncie for the very first time in the tournament's 41-year history. Getting to debut our newly renovated Cardinal Tennis Facility and watching our top player take home the title on our home courts is nothing short of magical."
Beyond the championship victory, it was a thrilling and deeply competitive weekend for the rest of the Cardinals roster as Maksym Ivashko put together a spectacular run in his respective singles flight. Ivashko showcased his grit and talent by winning two high-level, grueling matches to earn a spot in the finals before eventually falling in a hard-fought championship match.
Caragea surged to the championship title, starting with a straight-sets (6-3) win over Omaha's Maddox Lundell in the round of 16. After halting Buffalo's Minjae Kim 7-6 (3), 6-4 in the quarterfinals, he outlasted Eldin Nokic of the UIC Flames in a three-set thriller. Caragea was crowned champion following a medical withdrawal by UIC's Jose Frias Hernandez.
The weekend was also highlighted by Jeremy Milette found another level in his game this weekend. Stepping up his performance under the bright lights of the home courts, Milette battled his way through the bracket with elite execution, ultimately falling just short in a highly competitive flight final.
Hosting the event for the first time put Ball State tennis center stage, and the Cardinals capitalized on the home-court advantage by delivering an unforgettable weekend of championship-level tennis.
The Cardinals will now wrap up fall play at home when it hosts the annual Ball State Fall Invitational beginning Nov. 6 through Nov. 8.
The historic weekend was capped off by a monumental individual achievement, as Ball State's own Andrei Caragea captured the 2026 MAC Indoor Singles Championship title. By winning the top singles flight, Caragea has earned a prestigious opportunity to compete in the ITA Conference Masters Championships in Rome, Georgia. He will proudly represent the MAC in the tournament, which serves as a direct qualifier for the 2026 NCAA Individual Championships.
"What a phenomenal run by sophomore Andrei Caragea," Orlando said. "When Andrei finds his groove and starts dictating play from the baseline, he is absolutely unstoppable—and now he is the 2026 MAC Indoor Singles Champion! It was incredible hosting the MAC Indoors in Muncie for the very first time in the tournament's 41-year history. Getting to debut our newly renovated Cardinal Tennis Facility and watching our top player take home the title on our home courts is nothing short of magical."
Beyond the championship victory, it was a thrilling and deeply competitive weekend for the rest of the Cardinals roster as Maksym Ivashko put together a spectacular run in his respective singles flight. Ivashko showcased his grit and talent by winning two high-level, grueling matches to earn a spot in the finals before eventually falling in a hard-fought championship match.
Caragea surged to the championship title, starting with a straight-sets (6-3) win over Omaha's Maddox Lundell in the round of 16. After halting Buffalo's Minjae Kim 7-6 (3), 6-4 in the quarterfinals, he outlasted Eldin Nokic of the UIC Flames in a three-set thriller. Caragea was crowned champion following a medical withdrawal by UIC's Jose Frias Hernandez.
The weekend was also highlighted by Jeremy Milette found another level in his game this weekend. Stepping up his performance under the bright lights of the home courts, Milette battled his way through the bracket with elite execution, ultimately falling just short in a highly competitive flight final.
Hosting the event for the first time put Ball State tennis center stage, and the Cardinals capitalized on the home-court advantage by delivering an unforgettable weekend of championship-level tennis.
The Cardinals will now wrap up fall play at home when it hosts the annual Ball State Fall Invitational beginning Nov. 6 through Nov. 8.
Players Mentioned
Thursday, August 27
Thursday, August 27
Monday, August 24
Wednesday, August 19