LINCOLN, Neb. – The Washburn men's tennis team will head to the MIAA Tournament finals after defeating No. 24 Nebraska-Kearney 5-3 Tuesday.
 
In a No. 2 – No. 3-seed matchup, the Ichabods fell behind 2-1 after doubles, with the No. 1 team of Alejandro Valarezo and Blake Hunter taking the Lopers No. 1 team down 8-3. That was the duo's 29th win of the season, bolstering an already impressive All-American resume.
 
In singles action, the Ichabods were able to take each of the first three slots to go up 4-2 on the Lopers. Valarezo and Hunter each won their matches in straight sets, while No. 2 Paul Haase bounced back from a first-set loss to take each of the next two and score a decision.
 
Chase Brill clinched the victory for the Ichabods with his three-set win at No. 6 singles, securing a spot for the Ichabods in the MIAA Tournament Championship. The Ichabods will take on No. 1 seed Southwest Baptist, who made quick work of Northwest Missouri in their semifinal match, winning 5-0. The championship match will be at 8 a.m. Wednesday at the Dillon Tennis Center and will be broadcast live on the MIAA Network.
 
Singles Competition:
1. Valarezo Plaza,Aleja (WU) def. Reddiyar Aakash,Sri (UNKMEN) 6-2, 6-2
2. Haase,Paul (WU) def. Carmichael,Johnnie (UNKMEN) 4-6, 6-2, 7-5
3. Hunter,Blake (WU) def. Balado,Pepe (UNKMEN) 6-1, 6-2
4. Meiirbek,Dias (UNKMEN) def. Dicu,Raul-Alin (WU) 6-1, 6-4
5. Richards,Joey (UNKMEN) vs. Eidenmueller,Brad (WU) 7-5, 2-6, 1-4, unfinished
6. Brill,Chase (WU) def. Diaz,Alberto (UNKMEN) 6-4, 2-6, 6-4
 
Doubles Competition:
1. Valarezo Plaza,Aleja/Hunter,Blake (WU) def. Reddiyar Aakash,Sri/Balado,Pepe (UNKMEN) 8-3
2. Diaz,Alberto/Richards,Joey (UNKMEN) def. Dicu,Raul-Alin/Hunter,Tommy (WU) 9-8 (7-5)
3. Carmichael,Johnnie/Reekie,Aaron (UNKMEN) def. Haase,Paul/Brill,Chase (WU) 8-4