WASHINGTON – The Georgetown men's tennis team moves to 4-4, 1-1 in the BIG EAST after an action packed weekend that started off with the Hoyas' first BIG EAST Conference win against Xavier (3-4, 0-1 BIG EAST) on Friday afternoon 4-3. GU went up against Butler (9-4, 1-0 BIG EAST) on Saturday morning in search of its second conference win but the Hoyas fell short 4-3.
"While we are disappointed we didn't go 2-0 on the weekend, which I believe we had every opportunity to do, it is reassuring to know that our ability level is in line with competing for the BIG EAST Championship," said head coach Courtney Dolehide. "The resilience displayed by our team and specifically a freshman, in our match against Xavier, was something to be proud of and propel us forward. Our men will learn from the Butler experience as the opportunities to close out matches will arise again this season."
Georgetown made quick work of the Musketeers in doubles play with Andrew Rozanov and Rohan Kamdar knocking off Brett Winters and Stdan Pejic (Xavier) 6-2. The duo of captain Ian Witmer and Kieran Foster blanked Michael Lee and Jan Vrba (Xavier) 6-0 to give GU the doubles point.
During singles competition, Foster defeated Pejic (Xavier) 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 on court one despite dropping the first set. On court four, Mark Militzer won the final set against Shashank Reddy (Xavier) to capture the win, 6-2, 6-7 (4-0), 6-4. The Hoyas received their fourth point from Rozanov after defeating Dominic Macaluso (Xavier) in straight sets on court six, 6-0, 6-1.
At Butler, the Hoyas and the Bulldogs traded punches throughout the day. In doubles play, Lee and Sharton defeated Drew Michael and Ryan Roegner (Butler) 7-5. Thomas Brennan and Olof Wiklund (Butler) edged out Rozanov and Kamdar 6-3 and Butler was able to come away with the doubles point after an exciting 7-5 match between the duo of Witmer and Foster against Alvaro Huete and Zach Trimpe (Butler).
In singles play, Foster picked up his third win on the weekend defeating Alvaro Huete (Butler), 7-6, 6-4 on court two. Luke Ross downed Olof Wiklund (Butler) in straight sets, 7-6, 6-4 on court five. Kamdar secured the Hoyas third point, storming back to defeat Filip Tensing (Butler), 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 on court four.
The match came down to Rozanov and Roegner (Butler) on court six with the two trading the first two sets 3-6, 6-2. Rozanov comeback came up just short as Butler was able to come away with the win after a back and forth third set that ended 7-6.
The Hoyas will return to action on Friday, February 28th when they welcome George Washington into the Junior Tennis Championship Center. GU will battle James Madison on Saturday, February 29th at Junior Tennis Championship Center.
