SPRINGFIELD, Kan. – The Ichabod men's tennis team battled when it mattered most in an 8-1 win over McKendree Saturday afternoon at the Cooper Tennis Complex.
 
Paired up for only the second time in their careers Matt Barlow and Alejandro Valarezo Plaza dug out an 8-6 win over Ben Muller and Abel Moreno. Paul Haase and Chase Brill were edged by Maico Egbers and Ognjen Jevtic in an 8-6 decision. Brother's Tommy and Blake Hunter battled down to the wire and ultimately
gutted out a 9-8 (2) win over McKendrees Johnny Hu and Ethan McCafferty to give Washburn a 2-1 lead heading into singles.
 
With a 2-1 lead in tow the Ichabods turned up the intensity picking up six singles victories. Valarezo kicked things off for Washburn with a convincing 6-3, 6-3 win over Egbers which was followed up by a dominating performance from Barlow at the No. 3 spot who ousted  Hu in straight sets 6-4, 6-2.  Blake Hunter would clinch the victory for the Ichabods after digging out a 6-4, 7-5 win over McKendrees Muller.
 
Paul Haase, Chase Brill, and Tommy Hunter would all leave Springfield with another notch in the win column after knocking off McKendrees Moreno, McCafferty, and Nick Guzman in straight sets.
 
Washburn improves to 3-1 on the season, while McKendree falls to 3-1. The Ichabods will return to action when the team heads to Oklahoma, City, Okla. to face Oklahoma Baptist on Feb. 11.
 
Doubles
Valarezo/Barlow def. Muller/Moreno: 8-6
B. Hunter/ T. Hunter def. Hu/ McCafferty: 9-8(2)
Egbers/Jevtic def. Brill/Haase: 8-6
 
Singles
Valarezo def. Egbers: 6-3, 6-3
B. Hunter def. Muller: 6-4, 7-5
Barlow def. Hu: 6-4, 6-2
T. Hunter def. Moreno: 6-3, 6-2
Haase def. McCafferty: 6-1, 6-1
Brill def. Guzman: 6-2, 6-1