Jesuit Tennis Team Finishes State Runner-Up in Tie Breaking Decision
Jesuit's tennis team tied St. Paul’s with 10 points for the state L.H.S.A.A. tennis title after all the events were completed. Officials utilized a tie-breaking formula
that named St. Paul’s the state champion based upon the Wolves’ winning
an individual state title. Congratulations to the tennis team for a great season.
2007 Tennis Photo Gallery 2006-2007 Tennis Roster
Blue Jays Net Regional and District Tennis Titles
The Jesuit Tennis team is all smiles after winning their regional match,
10-9, against a competitive Brother Martin club.
View the 2007 Tennis Regional Photo Gallery.
(The following article is courtesy of The Times-Picayune and nola.com)
Jesuit Extends Regional Tennis Run Doubles team locks up Jays' 9th title in row Wednesday, April 25, 2007 By Pierce W. Huff With the Division I Region IV title on the line in their doubles championship match Tuesday at the WOW Tennis Center at UNO, Jesuit junior Curtis Lew and sophomore Jordan Ezell weren't about to go down without a fight. Even after losing the first set to Brother Martin's Jonathan Pizzo and Perry Gaffney, Lew and Ezell remained aggressive, trying for big serves and even bigger shots, and stayed confident. Eventually Lew and Ezell wore down Pizzo and Gaffney for a 5-7, 7-5, 6-4 victory, giving Jesuit its ninth consecutive regional tennis title.
Jesuit, the defending Division I state champion, finished with 10 points, followed by Brother Martin (nine) and Rummel (three).
The difference for Jesuit was its play in the championship matches. Blue Jays senior Alex Faust defeated defending regional champion Daniel Nguyen of Brother Martin 6-2, 6-0 in the singles final.
Lewis and Ezell knew the region title was on the line when they played Pizzo and Gaffney. "We were psyched and amped for this situation," Ezell said.
Pizzo and Gaffney, who lost in the regional doubles final last year, trailed 4-3 in the second set before winning two games in a row. Lew and Ezell finished the set by breaking Pizzo's serve, getting a hold by Ezell and breaking Gaffney's serve.
Lew and Ezell broke Pizzo's serve to pull even in the third set, 3-3. Then they won three of the last four games.
"This time every match counted for our team," Lew said.
Jesuit's championship run started with Faust, a left-hander who teamed with Carson Kadi to reach the Division I doubles final last year.
Faust attacked Nguyen from the start, blasting balls all over the court and pouncing on shots around the net. The score was 3-0 in the first set by the time Nguyen was able to settle his game and get into rallies with Faust.
"I was just trying to keep the ball deep," Faust said. "He's a good counterpuncher, makes plays on long points and does not give up a lot of cheap points."
Faust won the first set when Nguyen double-faulted.
Nguyen held serve to make the score 1-1, then Faust won three consecutive games. Faust won the fifth game of the second set when he hit a hard serve to Nguyen that resulted in a weak return and a hard forehand winner into the corner.
Nguyen held serve to make the score 4-2. Then Faust won the last two games. He blasted a forehand winner into the corner on match point.
"I wanted to keep the pressure on him," Faust said. "I had to get on top of him early and stay on top of him." A similar aggressive style paid dividends for Lew and Ezell in the doubles final.
Ezell said he and Lew fed off of the support from the Jesuit fans at the match. And Lew was glad and relieved that his victory could help Jesuit win another region title.
"I've never felt anything like this," he said.
Jesuit Defeats Br. Martin in Second Round Match, 6-3 The tennis team defeated Brother Martin 6-3 on Wednesday, April 18 to improve to 16-1 on the year. Winners were Alex Faust, Alex Starlight, Curtis Lew, Jordan Ezell, Gerard Suhor, and Michael Raspanti. The Jays return to the UNO courts Friday afternoon, April 20 at 4 p.m. to play Rummel.
Blue Jays Take Care of Ben Franklin, 8-1 The Jesuit tennis team defeated Ben Franklin 8-1 Tuesday afternoon, April 3 to improve to 13-1 on the season. Winners were Alex Faust, Gerard Suhor, Taylor Smith, Paul Mickan, Casey Coleman, and Phil Sampognaro. The team will play St. Aug. Tuesday, April 10th at UNO for 4 p.m.
Jesuit Wins Match Against St. Martin's, 8-1 The Blue Jays defeated the St. Martin's Saints Monday afternoon, 8-1, to improve to 12-1 on the year. Winners were Ryan Reynolds, Theo Kennedy, Matt Spalitta, Casey Coleman, Phil Sampognaro, and Greg Rittiner.
Blue Jays Serve Up a Victory Over Brother Martin, 6-3
The Jesuit tennis team defeated Brother Martin, 6-3, on Friday, March 23, to improve to 11-1 on the year. With Friday afternoon's victory, the Blue Jays move into first place in district. Winners were Alex Faust, Curtis Lew, Alex Starlight, Gerard Suhor, and Jordan Ezell. Special thanks to seniors Colin Hosli, Paul Kepper, Andrew Tessier, and Justin Barrett for their support at the match.
Jesuit Defeats Rummel, 8-1 The Jesuit tennis team defeated Rummel on Wednesday, 8-1, to improve to 10-1 on the year.
Winners were Alex Starlight, Jordan Ezell, Sean Grand, Will Truax, Jason Wrobel, and Mickey Randazzo.
Blue Jays Serve Up a Victory over Country Day, 7-2
The Jesuit tennis team defeated Country Day on Tuesday 7-2 to improve to 9-1 on the year.
Winners for the Jays included Curtis Lew, Ed Sampognaro, Taylor Smith, Paul Mickan, Theo Kennedy, and Reid Regouffre. Scheduling Note: The Jesuit match versus Br. Martin scheduled for this Friday, March 16 has been moved to Friday, March 23 at 4:00 at UNO.
Jesuit Tennis Team Wins Three Out of Four Matches in Baton Rouge
The Jesuit tennis team takes a team picture at the Baton Rouge High
School Team Tennis Tournament. Pictured in the front row (left to
right) are Taylor Smith, Jordan Ezell, Ed Sampognaro, Alex Starlight,
and Head Coach Mitch Chapoton '87. Back row: Larry Huck, S.J., '87,
Gerard Suhor, Sean Grand, Ryan Reynolds, Curtis Lew
The Blue Jay tennis team (8-1) won three out of four matches at the Baton Rouge High School Team Tennis Tournament this past Saturday, March 10th. Jesuit defeated University High (5-0), Vandebilt Catholic (5-0), and Runnels (5-0). The Jays lost their first match of the season to Brother Martin (4-1). Jesuit returns to the court Tuesday, March 13 when the Jays play Country Day at UNO for 4 PM.
Blue Jays Remain Undefeated This Season; Purple Knights Fall, 9-0 The Jesuit tennis team defeated St. Augustine, 9-0, on Wednesday, March 7th, to improve the season record to 5-0. Winners were sophomore Ryan Reynolds and seniors Will Truax, Jansen Petagna, and Eddie Geoghegan.
Jesuit Tennis Team Serves a Victory Over Holy Cross, 9-0 The Jesuit tennis team defeated district rivals Holy Cross, 9-0, on Monday, March 5th. Winners for the Blue Jays were seniors Sean Grand, Jon Picou, juniors Matt Spalitta, Damon Wang, and sophomore Andrew Bragagnini. |
