TOLEDO, Ohio -- The Western Michigan men's tennis team defeated Ball State, 4-2, this afternoon in the championship match of the 2006 Mid-American Conference Men's Tennis Championship at the UT Varsity Courts. With the win the No. 57 Broncos (25-4) advance to the 2006 NCAA Tournament.

We did a good job of not panicking after losing the doubles point, we came out and started from scratch in singles and got off to a great start. The guys came up big in the end. We're excited to be extending our season and representing the MAC in the NCAA.

Just like the first meeting in the regular season where Ball State won, 4-3, the Cardinals opened by winning the doubles point.

Western Michigan fell behind 2-0 after Brady Crosby lost at two singles, but the Broncos evened the score with wins from Alex Birchmeier and Jeff French at five and six singles. Tim Bradshaw then handed Matt Baccarani his first MAC loss at one singles to set the stage for senior Jose Orozco.

Orozco clinched the Brown & Gold's fourth NCAA Tournament appearance all-time by knocking off Tony Epkey 6-4, 5-7, 6-3.

Orozco and French were both named to the MAC All-Tournament Team.

The Broncos opponent in the first round of the NCAA Tournament will be announced Wednesday night at 8:30 p.m.on ESPNEWS.

#2 Western Michigan 4, #1 Ball State 2

Singles

1. Tim Bradshaw (WMU) def. Matt Baccarani 6-4, 3-6, 6-1
2. Joe Epkey (BSU) def. Brady Crosby 6-1, 6-0
3. Jose Orozco (WMU) def. Tony Epkey 6-4, 5-7, 6-3
4. Kevin Hayward (WMU) led Patrick Thompson 5-7, 6-4, 2-0 (Abandoned)
5. Alex Birchmeier (WMU) def. Jarrod Epkey 6-4, 7-5
6. Jeff French (WMU) def. Danny Vidal 6-3, 6-4

Doubles

1. Baccarani/Joe Epkey (BSU) def. Crosby/Bryan Norville  8-2
2. Tony Epkey/Jarrod Epkey (BSU) def. Orozco/Birchmeier 8-5
3. French/Bradshaw (WMU) def. Thompson/Joe Vallee 8-5