Tension filled the air around Washburn’s tennis courts last week as the men’s and women’s teams took on two competitive opponents from their conference. The men defeated Lindenwood University 9-0, while the women went 8-1 on April 4. Against Emporia State University, the men went 7-2 and the women 9-0 on April 5.

Sophomore Tommy Hunter and freshman Raul-Alin Dicu defeated Lindenwood opponents 8-2 in the No. 2 doubles spot. Senior Blake Hunter and junior Alejandro Valarezo won their doubles match 8-4 in the No. 1 slot.

In singles, freshman Bradley Eidenmueller fought to win the first set of his singles match with a 7-5, 6-2 score in the No. 4 spot. Sophomore Paul Haase took out Lindenwood’s No. 2 player with a smashing 6-0, 6-4 match. Sophomore Chase Brill defeated the No. 6 spot 6-1, 6-3.

The men needed this win to pick them up after losing the previous two duals.

“As a team, we were confident in each other, but as individuals, there were some of us, including myself, that weren’t finding that strength,” Valarezo said. “On Tuesday before we played, you could see in each of us how confident we were, so that’s a good improvement.”

On the women’s side, junior MaKenna Gonzales and sophomore Madison Lysaught crushed their doubles competition 8-1. Junior Alexis Czapinski and sophomore Logan Morrissey finished 8-2 in the No. 1 spot.

Czapinski took down Anna Barbasheva in the No. 1 singles spot with two 6-1 sets. Gonzales went 6-1, 6-0 in the No. 5 slot and sophomore Jacqueline Engelbrecht battled through a 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 match in the No. 2 slot.   

The women were feeling extra confident going into their match against Emporia because the Hornets were short two players.

Czapinski and Morrissey easily defeated the No. 1 doubles team 8-1. Junior Ally Burr and Engelbrecht took the No. 2 spot 8-4.

In singles, Lysaught defeated the Hornets’ No. 4 player in 6-1, 6-3 sets. Engelbrecht took down Sarah Durham 6-1, 6-0.

“We were pretty confident going into these two matches,” Morrissey said. “We beat them both last year and knew that Emporia only had four players.”

The wins have given the women a positive attitude as they continue their season.

“Our team’s biggest strength is cheering for everyone and being able to pick each other up if we get down,” Morrissey said. “We know we love each other no matter the outcome.”

The men defeated Emporia through several nerve-racking matches. Blake Hunter won his singles match against Oliver Dixon after rollercoaster sets 6-4, 0-6, 7-6, with a 7-5 tiebreaker. Eidenmueller won the No. 5 singles spot 5-7, 6-1 with a tight 14-12 tiebreaker.

The Ichabods are taking their wins and preparing to finish off their season on a high note.

“Everything comes from the hard work that each guy is willing to put in,” Valarezo said. “At the end of the day, that’s what pays off.”