TOPEKA, KAN. – Graduate student Maria Saez headlined a nip-and-tuck clash with MIAA rival Washburn University in 2024 NCAA Division II preliminary round finals action Saturday, May 11.
 
The Alicante, Spain, native rolled past the Ichabods' Maddie Shelley 6-2, 6-2 at number five singles. The decision moved her to 21-0 on the season.
 
Senior Anais Peralta Criado (Sevilla, Spain) and sophomore Cristina Granero Boj (Malaga, Spain) nearly joined their teammate in gathering more team points for head coach Alejandro de la Torre's Griffons. However, Washburn collected victories at No. 1, 2 and 6 to go along with the doubles' point collection for a 4-1 triumph.
 
The defeat closed out a season for the MWSU record books. The Griffs won the program's first-ever MIAA title in either regular season or tournament competition, tied the most dual wins in season history, and reached the finals of the national tournament preliminary rounds for a third successive campaign.