This past weekend, the Georgetown men’s tennis team traveled to South Bend, Ind. to play in the Big East Tournament.

Unfortunately for the seventh-seeded Hoyas, they drew the hosts, the second-seeded Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first round. The Hoyas came in playing their best tennis of the year, a significant change from the stuttering finishes that have characterized their past few seasons. But as a member of the loaded Big East Conference, they still entered the tournament as an underdog and were only an outside threat for the upset.

Notre Dame won the match 4-0, with the Hoyas’ best chance for a a point coming in their final doubles match, played by freshman Charlie Caris and senior Anthony Tan. The match, however, was called, as Notre Dame quickly clinched the victory, ending a disappointing conference tournament for the Hoyas.

Caris reflected on his first – and certainly not last – Big East Tournament appearance, as well as his returning teammates.

“Playing a No. 2 seed on their home court in the Big East Tournament shows us what we have to work toward,” he said. “We certainly have the talent to compete with them, but it’s a matter of those intangibles that will allow us to move further along next year. “

The Blue and Gray were scheduled for a rematch with St. John’s in the consolation round. The Red Storm got the better of Georgetown earlier in the season when they beat the Hoyas 6-1 at McDonough. The Hoyas never got their chance at redemption, however, as the Saturday morning match was cancelled due to inclement weather.

Head Coach Gordie Ernst was disappointed by the cancellation, as he felt leaving South Bend with a victory would have put a perfect end to the Hoyas’ season.

“Of course we’re shooting for the once-in-a-lifetime win,” Ernst said. “A win like that . that makes the season. There’s a rivalry there [with St. John’s].”

The men’s team will have significant turnover next year, as Tan, along with fellow seniors David Tillem and Will Lowell, will graduate this spring.

“These guys are three of the most unique individuals,” Ernst reflected. “They’re just great kids and it’s great for me to coach them. They make you want to go out there and coach them.”

It will be up to the younger Hoyas, including Caris and sophomore Andrew Bruhn who finished the regular season with a seven match winning streak to carry the load next year

“I think it’s going to be a difficult transition, as they really structured the team. Dave and Will as co-captains would organize team meetings, practices,” Caris said. “Their presence is irreplaceable [but] it definitely gives an opportunity for the rest of us to play a bigger role and make a difference.”

The women’s team did not qualify for the Big East Tournament, though there is much controversy surrounding their absence from the tournament. The Hoyas played their way into the tournament with big conference wins versus opponents that included Connecticut, Villanova and Seton Hall.

Astoundingly, however, UConn made the tournament as the 12th and final seed instead of Georgetown, a decision that marred the best finish for the women’s team in their history.

Ernst offered candid comments on his team’s strong finish and subsequent non-inclusion in the tournament.

“The last week of the season, [we] had three matches,” he said. “I gave the girls a challenge and they responded. It’s really unfortunate that we didn’t get chosen, because we deserved to go.”

Despite the tournament committee’s questionable decision, the ladies look forward to an improved season next year, with an extra year of experience under their belts. The Hoyas return their entire roster, including sophomore standout Lauren Greco and freshmen Victoria Sekely and Samantha Martin.

With these players, plus a group of high-level recruits, the team won’t be looking to simply make the Big East Tournament next year

“[The recruits] are going to add incredible value and propel us to, I believe, the top of the pack in the Big East,” the coach predicted.

Despite the disappointing end to both of the teams’ seasons, Ernst knows that his players can’t wait to start next year.

“They’re already asking me, `When do we start?'”

“

This past weekend, the Georgetown men’s tennis team traveled to South Bend, Ind. to play in the Big East Tournament.

Unfortunately for the seventh-seeded Hoyas, they drew the hosts, the second-seeded Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first round. The Hoyas came in playing their best tennis of the year, a significant change from the stuttering finishes that have characterized their past few seasons. But as a member of the loaded Big East Conference, they still entered the tournament as an underdog and were only an outside threat for the upset.

Notre Dame won the match 4-0, with the Hoyas’ best chance for a a point coming in their final doubles match, played by freshman Charlie Caris and senior Anthony Tan. The match, however, was called, as Notre Dame quickly clinched the victory, ending a disappointing conference tournament for the Hoyas.

Caris reflected on his first – and certainly not last – Big East Tournament appearance, as well as his returning teammates.

“Playing a No. 2 seed on their home court in the Big East Tournament shows us what we have to work toward,” he said. “We certainly have the talent to compete with them, but it’s a matter of those intangibles that will allow us to move further along next year. “

The Blue and Gray were scheduled for a rematch with St. John’s in the consolation round. The Red Storm got the better of Georgetown earlier in the season when they beat the Hoyas 6-1 at McDonough. The Hoyas never got their chance at redemption, however, as the Saturday morning match was cancelled due to inclement weather.

Head Coach Gordie Ernst was disappointed by the cancellation, as he felt leaving South Bend with a victory would have put a perfect end to the Hoyas’ season.

“Of course we’re shooting for the once-in-a-lifetime win,” Ernst said. “A win like that . that makes the season. There’s a rivalry there [with St. John’s].”

The men’s team will have significant turnover next year, as Tan, along with fellow seniors David Tillem and Will Lowell, will graduate this spring.

“These guys are three of the most unique individuals,” Ernst reflected. “They’re just great kids and it’s great for me to coach them. They make you want to go out there and coach them.”

It will be up to the younger Hoyas, including Caris and sophomore Andrew Bruhn who finished the regular season with a seven match winning streak to carry the load next year

“I think it’s going to be a difficult transition, as they really structured the team. Dave and Will as co-captains would organize team meetings, practices,” Caris said. “Their presence is irreplaceable [but] it definitely gives an opportunity for the rest of us to play a bigger role and make a difference.”

The women’s team did not qualify for the Big East Tournament, though there is much controversy surrounding their absence from the tournament. The Hoyas played their way into the tournament with big conference wins versus opponents that included Connecticut, Villanova and Seton Hall.

Astoundingly, however, UConn made the tournament as the 12th and final seed instead of Georgetown, a decision that marred the best finish for the women’s team in their history.

Ernst offered candid comments on his team’s strong finish and subsequent non-inclusion in the tournament.

“The last week of the season, [we] had three matches,” he said. “I gave the girls a challenge and they responded. It’s really unfortunate that we didn’t get chosen, because we deserved to go.”

Despite the tournament committee’s questionable decision, the ladies look forward to an improved season next year, with an extra year of experience under their belts. The Hoyas return their entire roster, including sophomore standout Lauren Greco and freshmen Victoria Sekely and Samantha Martin.

With these players, plus a group of high-level recruits, the team won’t be looking to simply make the Big East Tournament next year

“[The recruits] are going to add incredible value and propel us to, I believe, the top of the pack in the Big East,” the coach predicted.

Despite the disappointing end to both of the teams’ seasons, Ernst knows that his players can’t wait to start next year.

“They’re already asking me, `When do we start?'”

“