Cardinals Clinches Thriller as Men’s Tennis Defeats Toledo, 4-3

Thursday, March 26

Muncie, Ind.

1 pm

Ball State University

University of Toledo

Cardinals Clinches Thriller as Men’s Tennis Defeats Toledo, 4-3

March 26, 2026 | Men's Tennis

Final Results

MUNCIE, Ind. (March 26, 2026) — In a high-stakes Mid-American Conference battle that came down to the final court, the Ball State men's tennis team secured a gritty 4-3 victory over Toledo on Thursday afternoon at the First Serve Tennis Complex.

The Cardinals (9-8, 4-2 MAC) successfully defended their home courts in a match defined by late-set heroics and a dominant start in doubles play. The win completes a regular-season sweep of the Rockets, following Ball State's 5-2 road victory earlier this month.

Ball State took an early lead by clinching the doubles point with wins at the No. 1 and No. 3 positions. The Hayward brothers, Nolan and Drew, secured the opening point for the Cardinals in a gritty 7-6 (8-6) tiebreaker.
As singles play began, Jeremy Milette (No. 4) and Broc Fletcher (No. 6) picked up crucial victories to extend the Ball State lead. However, the Rockets fought back with wins at the No. 1, No. 3, and No. 5 spots, leveling the match at 3-3.

As the match remained deadlocked until the very end, with the final point decided in a three-set marathon at the No. 2 singles position. Andrei Caragea proved to be the hero for the Cardinals, battling back to defeat Toledo's Poonthong Komolpisut 6-7, 6-4, 6-4 to clinch the team victory.

The Ball State men's tennis team hosts Buffalo this Saturday at 1 p.m. ET for their final home match of the season. Depending on the weather, the action will take place either at the First Serve Tennis Complex or the Foster Adams Family/Bill Richards courts. Before the first serve, the Cardinals will hold a special ceremony to honor seniors Broc Fletcher and Jacks Lancaster.