MIDLOTHIAN, Texas -- The 25th-ranked Ichabods battled against an unbeaten Southern Arkansas Friday evening in a dual where four of the six singles matches went to all three sets and the victory was decided in the final singles match played, but it was the Muleriders who came out on top, 4-3. Despite the loss, program history was made for the Ichabods as Alejandro Valarezo Plaza picked up his 79th career singles victory to claim sole possession of the most wins by any Washburn men's tennis player ever.

Washburn fell behind early after losing the doubles point and once in singles competition, it was back and forth scoring for both teams. After Southern Arkansas picked up the first singles win at the No. 4 slot, Washburn answered with a pair of victories. Paul Haase improved to 7-3 in singles with his 6-4, 6-4 win. Valarezo Plaza kept his historic victory exciting as he topped his opponent 7-6 (7-3), 5-7, 6-4. With the win, he improves to 79-29 all-time in singles and passes Santiago Giraldo, who set the previous record (78-20) during his career from 1993-97.

After the Muleriders won the next match, Bradley Eidenmueller tied up the dual at 3-3 with his 7-6 (7-0), 6-3 triumph. The deciding point at the No. 6 spot went the distance of all three sets, but Southern Arkansas won the match, 5-7, 6-3, 6-1.

The Ichabods fall to 3-2 on the season while the Muleriders improve to 4-0.

Washburn will stay in Texas to take on Dallas Baptist tomorrow at Keist Park in Dallas. The match is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.

Singles competition
1. Valarezo Plaza,Alejandro (WU) def. Rehfuss,Stuart (SAU) 7-6 (7-3), 5-7, 6-4
2. Mulada,Natiphat (SAU) def. Dicu,Raul-Alin (WU) 6-3, 3-6, 7-5
3. Haase,Paul (WU) def. Nikoliuk,Marko (SAU) 6-4, 6-4
4. Gondouin,Yuri (SAU) def. Brill,Chase (WU) 6-1, 3-6, 6-1
5. Eidenmueller,Bradley (WU) def. Marin Garcia,Raymond (SAU) 7-6 (7-0), 6-3
6. Pokusaev,Aleksandr (SAU) def. Roura Casi,Marc (WU) 5-7, 6-3, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. Valarezo Plaza,Alejandro/Haase,Paul (WU) vs. Rehfuss,Stuart/Pokusaev,Aleksandr (SAU) 6-5, unfinished
2. Gondouin,Yuri/Kerber,Gustavo (SAU) def. Brill,Chase/Roura Casi,Marc (WU) 6-3
3. Mulada,Natiphat/Nikoliuk,Marko (SAU) def. Dicu,Raul-Alin/Eidenmueller,Bradley (WU) 6-3

Match notes
Southern Arkansas 4-0
Washburn 3-2