Despite winning the doubles point, Georgetown’s men’s tennis team will have to wait to get a crack against University of Maryland-Baltimore County after their Wednesday match was postponed due to rain. In the meantime, the Hoyas will take on Bucknell this afternoon.

The Hoyas won all three doubles games to secure the doubles point before the match was rained out. That point will carry into the resumed game when it is rescheduled sometime within the next two weeks.

“It is always a close match against UMBC,” Head Coach Gordie Ersnt said. “We started singles play but then it started to rain. It’s going to continue to be a close match.”

Although they are in a holding pattern for that contest, the Hoyas must now switch gears and focus on the Bison. Bucknell (5-8, 0-1 Patriot League) most recently traveled to Villanova on Wednesday and lost, 5-2.

But despite that margin, Ernst knows that Friday’s match will mean more tough competition.

“Bucknell is just like Lehigh or Navy,” Ernst said. “They always have guys that can play and they all want a piece of us. It is going to be a tough fight.”

In last year’s meeting, the Blue and Gray crushed the Bison, 6-1. Senior Andrew Bruhn, senior Brian Ward, junior Charlie Caris and sophomore Casey Distaso have a chance to defend their 2011 singles wins.

And while that showing makes Ernst hopeful, he wants to make sure his squad does not overlook Bucknell.

“I am feeling good about this match,” Ernst said. “I hope the boys do not just think ahead to our Big East competition against UConn.”

The Hoyas will play host to Connecticut (5-5) Saturday at home. Although rain on the Eastern seaboard also postponed UConn’s Wednesday match against Bryant, the Huskies will take on St. John’s in New York Friday before heading to the District to face the Hoyas.

“UConn is definitely a rival of ours,” Ernst said. “It is always a close match when we meet.”

With leadership from Bruhn and Caris, Ernst is confident that every match will get the attention it needs.

“As a senior captain, Bruhn needs to keep carrying the team,” Ernst said. “Even though Caris is only a junior, he has played a lot of matches. We expect a lot of big things out of these guys at this point.”

Still, Ernst knows that solid play at the top has to trickle down to the underclassmen for the team to succeed. Five of the nine players on this year’s roster are sophomores and freshmen.

“We need experience and leadership, because the younger guys respond well when they are made to feel more confident and comfortable,” Ernst said.

Confidence will be key in Friday’s match against Bucknell. The match is set for 2 p.m. at the McDonough Outdoor Tennis Complex. Saturday’s match against Connecticut will begin at 11 a.m.