Washington, D.C. -- The St. Johns mens tennis team captured their first BIG EAST match of the season, defeating Georgetown, 4-3. This victory can have a significant impact on the Red Storms chance to qualify for the BIG EAST Tournament. Every win matters for the Red Storm, whose record now stands at 2-5 overall.

Two wins in doubles competition proved to be crucial for St. Johns. At No. 1 doubles Erik Scharf (Bronxville, N.Y.) and Jake Maxwell (Glen Cove, N.Y.) started off strong, gaining a 6-0 lead. Georgetowns Lohser and Cravedi had a chance to tie the match at 7, but E. Scharf held serve for the match. E. Scharf and Maxwell won 8-6 and are now 3-2 on the season. Georgetown took the No. 3 doubles match, leaving the No. 2 match as the deciding point. Christian Carere (Brampton, Canada) and Brian Scharf (Bronxville, N.Y.) led the match 7-6, but the team of Sklavounos and Nelson battled back to even the score. After the Hoyas went ahead 8-7, B. Scharf won his next serve to send the match to a tiebreaker. Carere and B. Scharf won the tiebreaker, 7-3, giving them the win, 9-8. With these two exciting matches, the Red Storm led 1-0, heading into singles action.

In singles action, No. 1 player, E. Scharf cruised to a 6-0, 6-2 win over Sklavounos. E. Scharf remains undefeated at the No. 1 position in team play. At the No. 2 and 3 spots, the Red Storm struggled. Fabian Carchi (Corona, N.Y.) dropped a 7-6, 6-4 decision to Losher, while Maxwell fell 6-3, 7-5 to Crichlow. The score was now tied at 2-all.

The Red Storm needed to capture at least two of the remaining three singles matches for the win. At No. 4 singles, B. Scharf took the first set, 6-2, but dropped the second set 1-6. In the third set, B. Scharf managed a 6-3 win, giving St. Johns the 3-2 lead. Nikhil Teppara (Mississauga, Canada), playing No. 5 singles, won the first set, 7-6, but dropped the next two 6-7, 3-6. The scored was now tied at 3 and No. 6 singles would be the deciding factor. Cameron Lore (Toronto, Canada) would have no problems in the 6th slot with Nelson. Lore downed his opponent 6-2, 6-4 to clinch the 4-3 win for the Red Storm.

St. Johns returns to action when they visit Princeton on Tuesday, March 27. The Tigers and the Red Storm both have struggled this season, each currently owning a 2-5 record. This match up could prove to be quite interesting.