Ball State University Athletics
Friday, March 20
Muncie, Ind.
1 pm
Ball State University
vs
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Western Michigan University
Ball State Men’s Tennis Set to Host Rival Western Michigan in Key MAC Clash
March 19, 2026 | Men's Tennis
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State men's tennis team (8-7, 3-1 MAC) is set to continue its home stand this Friday, March 20, as it welcomes Mid-American Conference (MAC) rival Western Michigan (9-9, 2-2 MAC). First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.
The Cardinals and the Broncos are scheduled to play outside at the Foster Adams Family Tennis Complex and Bill Richards Tennis Courts for the first time this spring.
Ball State enter the matchup with significant momentum following a perfect 2-0 weekend in Muncie. Ball State secured back-to-back 4-3 "gritty" victories over UIC and Northern Illinois University (NIU). Senior Jacks Lancaster was instrumental in those wins, earning MAC Tennis Singles Player of the Week honors after delivering clinching points at the No. 1 singles position in both matches.
"The MAC is shaping into a very competitive and wide-open race," said first-year head coach Gene Orlando "This Friday against Western Michigan should be another hard-fought thriller. We are taking it one match at a time and focusing on getting better every day".
Western Michigan holds a 30–10 advantage over Ball State in their men's tennis series spanning 2004 to 2025. This storied Mid-American Conference (MAC) rivalry is defined by elite success, as both programs have achieved the rare milestone of winning 12 consecutive conference championships.
The connection between the two schools runs deep as former legendary head coach Bill Richards and current graduate assistant Peter Kuszynski both competed as letter winners for the Broncos before joining the Cardinals.
The Ball State Cardinals men's tennis team is scheduled to return home on Thursday, March 26, 2026, for a match against Toledo at 1 p.m. ET. The team will then conclude its home schedule for the season on Saturday, March 28, 2026 (not April 28), with a match against Buffalo at 1 p.m. ET, which will also serve as the program's Senior Day celebration.
The Cardinals and the Broncos are scheduled to play outside at the Foster Adams Family Tennis Complex and Bill Richards Tennis Courts for the first time this spring.
Ball State enter the matchup with significant momentum following a perfect 2-0 weekend in Muncie. Ball State secured back-to-back 4-3 "gritty" victories over UIC and Northern Illinois University (NIU). Senior Jacks Lancaster was instrumental in those wins, earning MAC Tennis Singles Player of the Week honors after delivering clinching points at the No. 1 singles position in both matches.
"The MAC is shaping into a very competitive and wide-open race," said first-year head coach Gene Orlando "This Friday against Western Michigan should be another hard-fought thriller. We are taking it one match at a time and focusing on getting better every day".
Western Michigan holds a 30–10 advantage over Ball State in their men's tennis series spanning 2004 to 2025. This storied Mid-American Conference (MAC) rivalry is defined by elite success, as both programs have achieved the rare milestone of winning 12 consecutive conference championships.
The connection between the two schools runs deep as former legendary head coach Bill Richards and current graduate assistant Peter Kuszynski both competed as letter winners for the Broncos before joining the Cardinals.
The Ball State Cardinals men's tennis team is scheduled to return home on Thursday, March 26, 2026, for a match against Toledo at 1 p.m. ET. The team will then conclude its home schedule for the season on Saturday, March 28, 2026 (not April 28), with a match against Buffalo at 1 p.m. ET, which will also serve as the program's Senior Day celebration.
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Players Mentioned
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