LINCOLN, Neb.--- The third time proved to be the charm for the No. 3 Ichabod men's tennis team as they upset No. 2 Southwest Baptist in the semifinal of the MIAA Tennis Tournament Wednesday afternoon.
For the first time in three MIAA tournament matchups and the first time in seven meetings the Ichabods outlasted the Bearcats for a spot in the men's final against top-seed Northwest Missouri State.
Washburn faced an early deficit after picking up one of three doubles matches.
Alejandro Valarezo and
Blake Hunter were defeated 8-5 at No. 1 doubles.
Paul Haase and
Chase Brill dropped their match at the third slot in an 8-4 decision. Senior,
Matt Barlow paired up with
Tommy Hunter for an 8-5 win at No. 2 doubles to get Washburn on the board.
With a one-point disadvantage, the Ichabods headed into singles action where they'd stage a series of comeback victories to keep its season alive. No. 31 Valarezo dropped the opening set 6-4 at No. 1 singles before knocking down the next two 6-1, 6-2 against No. 4 Sherif Abohabaga to tie the match 2-2.
Barlow continued the trend at No. 3 singles, dropping his opening frame in a 6-4 decision before rattling off a pair of wins 6-1, 6-2 to put Washburn up by one.
Already ahead by one,
Blake Hunter defeated a Bearcat netter at the second slot in a 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 decision to extend the Ichabod lead to two.
Freshman,
Chase Brill, who is no stranger to closing out matches for Washburn would seal the deal for the Ichabods at No. 6 singles. The first-year Ichabod would put on a dominate performance and defeat Marcel Castillo in straight sets 6-2, 6-2.
Haase clinched his opening set 6-4 and was leading the second set 2-1 before the match was clinched.
Tommy Hunter was attempting to comeback from a early defeat in the opening frame 6-3 and was leading the second set 3-2.
The Ichabods will make its first appearance in the MIAA Tournament Final since the 2009-10 season. The match is slated for 8 a.m. tomorrow morning at the Dillon Tennis Center on the campus of the University of Nebraska.
