Starting the season optimistic was how Washburn University’s head tennis coach, Dave Alden described his season after both the women’s and men’s tennis teams played their first matches. Now, after both the men’s and women’s teams completed their final matchups in the MIAA Championship Tournament, he could not be any prouder.  

First beginning with the women’s team, Alden described their season as a strong finish.

“The girls really fought through adversity and put together a good season wrap up,” said Alden. “I was very proud of the great position they put us in with the strong last match this season.”

Saturday, April 21, the Washburn Lady Blues tennis team began their first match in the MIAA Championship Tournament in Kansas City, Mo., against Northwest Missouri.

Unfortunately, The Lady Blues fell in the semifinals with a 5-0 lead by Northwest Missouri as the Lady Blues lost all opening doubles matches.

Sunday, April 22, the Lady Blues tennis team wrapped up their 2011-2012 season in their third match of the MIAA Championship Tournament against Emporia State with a 5-0 win.

The Lady Blues opened the match with a strong lead in the doubles sweep and finished strong with a 7-4 score as seniors Whitley Zitsch, Morgan Rainey, Jamie Blackim and Alyssa broke the tiebreaker.

The Lady Blues then continued into their single matches, which ended victoriously, giving the Washburn Lady Blues the third place title in the 2011-2012 MIAA Championship Tennis Tournament.

Then, Alden moved on to describe the men’s tennis team’s season wrap up as great decision-making.

“I’m just really proud of how the boys played, especially in the match that they lost,” said Alden.

He then moved on to describe the situation as one where the Washburn players were given every opportunity to be there.

“The guys fought really hard in their final two matches and as a coach, that’s all you can ask for,” said Alden.

The Washburn Ichabod’s tennis team matched up against Southwest Baptist in their first match of the MIAA Championship Tournament during the semifinals on April 21.

The Ichabod’s began their match short after the doubles matches at 2-1 and continued to fall as Washburn ended the match 2-5 against Southwest Baptist.

The Ichabod’s returned to play on April 22 as they faced off against Truman in the MIAA Championship Tournament for third place.

Truman began the match with a strong lead in doubles play and then continued even stronger in singles play, which secured the Ichabod’s 5-2 win.

“We’ve got a great season ahead of us,” said Alden. “These last matches proved that.”