In a tightly contested match within the Mid-American Conference (MAC), Ball State's Cardinals narrowly missed out on victory against Western Michigan Broncos. Despite strong performances in singles play, securing three crucial points, the Cardinals were edged out by their rivals in Kalamazoo. The day began with Western Michigan asserting dominance in doubles action, but Ball State demonstrated resilience through individual triumphs from Nathaniel Webster, Jacks Lancaster, and Drew Hayward. Ultimately, the Broncos capitalized on critical moments in the final sets to secure their win.

The competition unfolded at the West Hills Athletic Club, where Western Michigan started strongly by claiming the doubles point. Their victories on courts two and three set an early tone for the afternoon. Although Ball State trailed 1-0 heading into singles play, they quickly responded through Nathaniel Webster, who delivered a commanding straight-set win over Ashton Adesoro at the No. 1 singles position. Playing in his hometown of Kalamazoo, Webster’s performance injected energy into the Cardinals' lineup.

This momentum carried forward as teammates Jacks Lancaster and Drew Hayward followed suit with their respective victories. Lancaster’s thrilling comeback at No. 2 singles showcased his tenacity, while Hayward added another point for the Cardinals at No. 5. However, Western Michigan also managed to extend its lead by prevailing at court six, creating a precarious 3-2 situation favoring Ball State.

As the match progressed, the Cardinals had a golden opportunity to clinch the team victory, with matches still ongoing at courts three and four. Unfortunately, the Broncos thwarted this effort by winning decisive third sets at these positions. Oscar Corwin and Alexander Antonopoulos delivered pivotal wins for Western Michigan, denying Ball State the chance to claim the overall triumph.

Looking ahead, the Cardinals aim to rebound during their upcoming road match against Buffalo on March 29. This contest will take place in Western New York, where the Cardinals hope to channel their recent successes into another competitive performance.