Ball State University Athletics
Friday, February 6
Muncie, Ind.
3 pm
Ball State University
vs
Butler University
Ball State Women’s Tennis Set for Home Opener Against Butler Before B1G Road Test at Michigan State
February 05, 2026 | Women's Tennis
MUNCIE, Ind. — Following an impressive victory on the road last weekend, the Ball State women's tennis team (1-1) returns to Muncie this week to host in-state rival Butler (3-4) for its 2026 home opener on Friday, before traveling to East Lansing for a Sunday showdown with Michigan State (2-0).
The Cardinals will welcome the Butler Bulldogs to the First Serve Muncie Tennis Center this Friday, Feb. 6, with match play scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. ET. Ball State enters the contest with momentum after a dominant 6-1 win over Navy this past Sunday in South Bend. Ball State holds a dominant historical edge in women's tennis against Butler, including an 8-3 record over their last 11 matchups. Ball Sate dropped its last meeting to Butler by a 4-3 decision on March 3, 2024.
So far the key to the Cardinals' early success this season has been the doubles pairing of Sarah Shahbaz and Isabel Tanjuatco. The duo, who posted a historic 13-1 record during the fall campaign, has opened the spring with a 2-0 mark after defeating Notre Dame and Navy last weekend at the No. 1 doubles position. The victories led to Shahbaz and Tanjuatco earning the Mid-American Conference Doubles Team of the Week award and a national ranking of 87 from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA).
On Sunday, Feb. 8, Ball State will hit the road to face Michigan State at the MSU Indoor Tennis Center. The match is set for a 2 p.m. ET start. The Spartans will be hosting a doubleheader on Sunday, facing Gonzaga in the morning before their afternoon meeting with the Cardinals. The Spartans women's tennis team holds a 3-1 record against Ball State from 2011 to 2024. MSU won the most recent matchup 4-0 on March 9, 2024.
The Cardinals will welcome the Butler Bulldogs to the First Serve Muncie Tennis Center this Friday, Feb. 6, with match play scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. ET. Ball State enters the contest with momentum after a dominant 6-1 win over Navy this past Sunday in South Bend. Ball State holds a dominant historical edge in women's tennis against Butler, including an 8-3 record over their last 11 matchups. Ball Sate dropped its last meeting to Butler by a 4-3 decision on March 3, 2024.
So far the key to the Cardinals' early success this season has been the doubles pairing of Sarah Shahbaz and Isabel Tanjuatco. The duo, who posted a historic 13-1 record during the fall campaign, has opened the spring with a 2-0 mark after defeating Notre Dame and Navy last weekend at the No. 1 doubles position. The victories led to Shahbaz and Tanjuatco earning the Mid-American Conference Doubles Team of the Week award and a national ranking of 87 from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA).
On Sunday, Feb. 8, Ball State will hit the road to face Michigan State at the MSU Indoor Tennis Center. The match is set for a 2 p.m. ET start. The Spartans will be hosting a doubleheader on Sunday, facing Gonzaga in the morning before their afternoon meeting with the Cardinals. The Spartans women's tennis team holds a 3-1 record against Ball State from 2011 to 2024. MSU won the most recent matchup 4-0 on March 9, 2024.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
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