TEMPE, Ariz. – The Washburn tennis coaching staff was recognized for leading the Ichabods to a stellar 2022-23 season as Kirby Ronning was named the ITA Central Region Coach of the Year for both the men's and women's teams while his assistants, Raul-Alin Dicu and Miller Zeiders, were also recognized as the Central Region Assistant Coaches of the Year. Additionally, Sonia Smagina was named the ITA Central Region Women's Senior Player of the Year.
 
In his third season as Washburn's head coach, Ronning led both the men's and women's teams to an MIAA Tournament championship title and a trip to the NCAA National Championship Tournament this spring. The women finished with a record of 18-7 (6-2 MIAA) and advanced to the NCAA National Quarterfinal match for the first time in program history while the men wrapped up the season at 17-8 (3-1 MIAA) and competed in the NCAA National Round of 16. Ronning has led both the Washburn men's and women's teams to the NCAA postseason in each of his three seasons and the women have played at the NCAA National Tournament twice during his tenure.
 
Assisting Ronning in this year's successful seasons were former Ichabod tennis student-athletes, Dicu and Zeiders, who graduated in 2022. This year, Dicu worked with the Washburn men's team and Zeiders assisted with the women's team and both were recognized by the ITA for their contributions to the teams.
 
Smagina, this season's MIAA Player of the Year, was also tabbed the ITA Central Region Women's Senior Player of the Year. She finished ranked in the top-five in both singles and doubles this year. She checked in at No. 2 overall in singles and completed her season with the Ichabods with a singles record of 30-3 while going 21-2 at the No. 1 spot and had a perfect 7-0 mark in conference play. Against nationally ranked opponents, she was 10-2 and she moved up to the No. 1-ranked singles player in Division II on March 21. She and doubles partner Maja Jung finished fifth in the final ITA rankings of the season after compiling a record of 19-3 at the top of the lineup while also going undefeated in conference play. The duo won nine of their last 10 matches they played together and went 6-3 against nationally ranked opponents.