Box Score KEARNEY, Neb. – The Washburn men's tennis team will advance to the NCAA Championship Tournament for the first time since 2008 with a victory over Nebraska-Kearney Tuesday.
 
The Ichabods fared better in doubles than in their previous meetings with the Lopers, going 2-1 in their three matches. The No. 1 team of Alejandro Valarezo and Blake Hunter won their 30th match of the year, while the No. 3 team of Chase Brill and Paul Haase took down the first team All-MIAA team of Aaron Reekie and Johnnie Carmichael 8-6.
 
Needing three singles victories to win, the Ichabods scored the first decision when Valarezo defeated UNK's Sri Reddiyar Aakash 6-1, 6-1. Blake Hunter brought the Ichabods to within one match of clinching winning 6-1, 7-6.
 
The Lopers pulled to within 4-3 with wins at the No. 6 and No. 4 slots, before Bradley Eidenmueller's 6-4, 6-3 win clinched the Ichabods' first spot in the round of 16 in the NCAA Championships since 2008.
 
The Ichabods will await their first round matchup, which will take place May 9 in Surprise, Arizona. For more information on the 2017-18 men's tennis season, visit wusports.com.
 
Singles Competition:
 
1. #30 Valarezo Plaza,Aleja (WU) def. Reddiyar Aakash,Sri (UNK) 6-1, 6-1
2. Balado,Pepe (UNK) vs. Haase,Paul (WU) 7-5, 6-6, unfinished
3. Hunter,Blake (WU) def. Carmichael,Johnnie (UNK) 6-1, 7-6 (7-2)
4. Meiirbek,Dias (UNK) def. Dicu,Raul-Alin (WU) 7-5, 6-1
5. Eidenmueller,Brad (WU) def. Richards,Joey (UNK) 6-4, 6-3
6. Diaz,Alberto (UNK) def. Brill,Chase (WU) 6-2, 7-5
 
Doubles Competition:
 
1. #5 Valarezo Plaza,Aleja/Hunter,Blake (WU) def. Reddiyar Aakash,Sri/Balado,Pepe (UNK) 8-2
2. Diaz,Alberto/Richards,Joey (UNK) def. Hunter,Tommy/Dicu,Raul-Alin (WU) 8-6
3. Brill,Chase/Haase,Paul (WU) def. Reekie,Aaron/Carmichael,Johnnie (UNK) 8-6