FIRST SERVE

• The No. 17 Ichabods men's tennis team hosts Southern Arkansas on Saturday at 1 p.m., followed by a Sunday match against Bethel at 1 p.m.
• Washburn has faced Southern Arkansas only once, on April 13, 2019, when the Ichabods defeated the Muleriders, 5-2.
• The Ichabods hold a 16-4 edge over Bethel in the all-time record. They last played each other on March 3, 2020, when Washburn swept the Threshers, 7-0.

 
LAST TIME OUT

• Coming off of an off-week, the Ichabods are looking to improve on their 9-2 record. Washburn took 7-0 sweeps over both Newman and Emporia State on March 27-28.
• On March 27 against Newman, Washburn began the match by claiming the doubles point, thanks to a 7-5 victory by Bradley Eidenmueller and Sebastian Pjontek at the No. 1 spot and a win by default from the third spot due to lack of players on the Jets side.
• Paul Haase then earned the first singles point with a 6-0, 6-2 victory from the third spot in the lineup. Miquel Perez won the clinching point with a 6-7 (4-7), 7-5, 1-0 (10-5) win from the No. 2 spot. Eidenmueller ended singles action with a 6-4, 6-3 win from fourth court. The final point was won by default due to no sixth player from the Jets, leading Washburn to a 7-0 sweep of Newman.
• On March 28 against Emporia State, the Ichabods swept the doubles point to take an early advantage.
• Haase once again won the first singles point for Washburn from the No. 3 spot with a 6-2, 6-0 win. Raul-Alin Dicu clinched the win for the Ichabods as he defeated his opponent by scores of 6-2, 6-1 from the top of the lineup. Marc Roura Casi ensured the 7-0 sweep over Emporia State as he won his match from the bottom of the lineup by 6-1, 6-1.

 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS

• Southern Arkansas holds an 9-4 record this season after a 4-3 win over Southeastern Oklahoma on Thursday. Southern Arkansas will face Emporia State on Friday, prior to the match against Washburn the next day.
• The Muleriders return seven from last year's roster while welcoming in four newcomers. 
• Sander Jans is ranked No. 34 in the ITA singles rankings released on Thursday. Jans and doubles partner Sofiane Bah are ranked No. 21 in the doubles rankings, as well.
• Southern Arkansas was picked third in the south division of the MIAA-GAC Preseason Poll.
• The Muleriders are headed by Greg Owen in his third season as head coach.
• Bethel has a 8-2 record this season following a 6-1 win over Tabor College on April 3. Bethel faces McPherson College on Saturday before the match against Washburn on Sunday.
• The Threshers return three from last year's roster while welcoming in nine newcomers.
• Freshman Tomas Quercia earned UTR/ITA Player of the Week on March 24.
• Bethel is coached by Gabe Johnson in his second season.

 
CHECKING IN WITH THE BODS

• Paul Haase leads the Ichabods with a 9-1 singles record this season. Haase also has a 7-4 doubles record. With partner Miquel Perez, he has earned a 5-2 doubles record from the second spot.
• Raul-Alin Dicu and doubles partner Daniel Bird have earned a 6-2 record from the No. 3 spot. 
• Along with a 6-2 record in doubles, newcomer Bird has gone a perfect 7-0 in singles action to make a commanding first impression on the Washburn team.
• Bradley Eidenmueller is off to a 8-0 start in singles action, playing mainly at the No. 4 spot. Eidenmueller is 8-3 in doubles action. With partner Sebastian Pjontek, they have gone 6-1 from the No. 1 doubles spot.
• Playing at the bottom of the lineup, Miller Zeiders and Marc Roura Casi have split duties throughout the season. Zeiders holds a perfect 4-0 record so far, while Roura Casi has a 6-1 record.

 
ICHABODS IN THE RANKINGS

• The Ichabods are ranked No. 17 in the nation according to the most recent ITA national team rankings released on April 8, 2021. Regionally, they are ranked first in the central region, released on March 23.
• Two Ichabods were listed in the top-40 of the first national singles rankings of the season, released on April 8, 2021. Raul-Alin Dicu checked in at No. 24 and Miquel Perez sits at No. 37.
• The No. 1 doubles duo of Sebastian Pjontek and Bradley Eidenmueller are ranked No. 12 in the national doubles rankings.
• The Ichabods were picked second in the north division in the MIAA/GAC Preseason Coaches Poll, released on February 5, 2021. The team gathered three-first place votes and 26 points total.

 
HEAD COACH KIRBY RONNING

• Kirby Ronning is in his first season as the Washburn head tennis coach for the Ichabods men's and women's programs after being named to the position on July 23, 2020. Prior to Washburn, Ronning spent four seasons as the assistant coach at Azusa Pacific, where he helped lead the Cougars to multiple NCAA postseason appearances and earned himself both ITA West Region's Men's Tennis Assistant Coach of the Year and Women's Tennis Assistant Coach of the Year. 
• He earned his bachelor's degree in business from Bethel University (Minn) in 2014 and his master's in physical education from Azusa Pacific in May 2020.
• Ronning also played at Bethel for four years, playing primarily at No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles position.

 
TAKE A LOOK AHEAD

• The Ichabods will host a scrimmage against Cowley County on April 15 at 1 p.m.