Washburn University Men's Tennis Concludes Fall Season with Ambitious Roster and Impressive Record

Strategic Insights -

As the Washburn University men's tennis team prepares to conclude its fall season at the Washburn Invitational, the program boasts an impressive roster and a record that speaks to its dedication and drive. With a 2024-25 season that saw a fourth straight trip to the NCAA Tournament and an appearance in the National Championship match, the Ichabods are setting their sights high for the future. The team's 2025-26 roster features 10 players, including five seniors, two juniors, and three freshmen, each bringing their unique skills and experience to the table.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Washburn Invitational will feature players from Emporia State, Cowley County Community College, Newman, and Rockhurst on the men's side, with all 10 Ichabods competing in the tournament on either the singles or doubles side or both.
  • Doubles play will begin at 10 a.m. on Sunday, with singles competition set to follow at 11:15 a.m.
  • The team has gone 70-39 (64.2%) in singles matches throughout the fall, with top performers including Pavlos Parson (12-3), Benjamin Fock (12-1), Yuto Miyagawa (12-2), and Moritz Pieper (10-5).
  • The team has also excelled in doubles, going 22-20 (52.4%) on the year, with notable duos including Yuto Miyagawa and Pavlos Parson (6-2), Benjamin Fock and Zino Nahirniak (5-3), and Yoshinobu Nakatsuji and Graham Faris (4-3).
  • Head Coach Kirby Ronning, in his sixth season as the head coach of the men's and women's tennis teams at Washburn, led both teams to the NCAA Tournament in every season, with a combined 176-60 record.
  • Ronning has been named the ITA Central Region Coach of the Year four times and the MIAA Coach of the Year twice, and previously spent four seasons as the assistant coach at Azusa Pacific.

Statistics:

  • The team has gone 70-39 (64.2%) in singles matches throughout the fall.
  • The team has gone 22-20 (52.4%) in doubles matches throughout the fall.
  • Top performers include:

+ Pavlos Parson: 12-3 in singles

+ Benjamin Fock: 12-1 in singles

+ Yuto Miyagawa: 12-2 in singles

+ Moritz Pieper: 10-5 in singles

  • Doubles duos to watch:

+ Yuto Miyagawa and Pavlos Parson: 6-2

+ Benjamin Fock and Zino Nahirniak: 5-3

+ Yoshinobu Nakatsuji and Graham Faris: 4-3

Sources:

  • Washburn University Athletics
  • Washburn University Athletics News Release (no date)
  • ITA Central Region
  • MIAA Conference
  • Washburn University Men's Tennis website