ABILENE, Texas -- The Ichabods defeated Southwest Baptist by a 5-4 margin for the third time this season and in the process advanced to play the host school, Abilene Christian, in the regional final for one half of the South Central Region.

WU held a 2-1 advantage after doubles play as the Ichabods picked up wins at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles. Ryan Ward and Drew Hanson topped Agustin Mollar and Jorge Margiotta 8-5, while Simon Blondin and Yann Kasay defeated Jorge Palacios and Tyler Welch 8-6.

In singles play, Branden Joost beat Marton Zsiga 6-4, 6-2 at No. 1 and Adam Rens took care of Tyler Welch 6-4, 6-0 at No. 6 singles. Kasay secured the win for Washburn with a 6-1, 5-7, 6-1 win over Palacios at No. 5 singles.

Washburn will play Abilene Christian tomorrow at noon.

#33 Washburn University 5, #21 Southwest Baptist University 4
May 07, 2009 at Abilene, Texas (Eager Tennis Center)

Singles competition

1. Branden Joost (WU) def. Marton Zsiga (SBU) 6-4, 6-2

2. Emilio El Alabi (SBU) def. Simon Blondin (WU) 6-3, 6-1

3. Agustin Mollar (SBU) def. Ryan Ward (WU) 6-0, 6-2

4. Jorge Margiotta (SBU) def. Drew Hanson (WU) 6-1, 6-2

5. Yann Kasay (WU) def. Jorge Palacios (SBU) 6-1, 5-7, 6-1

6. Adam Rens (WU) def. Tyler Welch (SBU) 6-4, 6-0

Doubles competition

1. Marton Zsiga/Emilio El Alabi (SBU) def. Branden Joost/Brad Johnston (WU) 8-6

2. Ryan Ward/Drew Hanson (WU) def. Agustin Mollar/Jorge Margiotta (SBU) 8-5

3. Simon Blondin/Yann Kasay (WU) def. Jorge Palacios/Tyler Welch (SBU) 8-6

Match Notes

Southwest Baptist University 15-9; National ranking #21; Regional ranking #5

Washburn University 13-5; National ranking #33; Regional ranking #4

Third time this season that Washburn has beaten Southwest Baptist by a 5-4 score

Washburn's Yann Kasay led SBU's Jorge Palacios 6-1, 5-2 and was serving to win

the match, but he lost the last five games of the second set as Palacios forced

a third set. Kasay won the third set to win the match for Washburn.

T-4:00 A-50