PRINCETON, N.J. – Saint Joseph's men's tennis team members Othman Bezzaz and Ernesto Ruy saw their tremendous run come to an end in the semifinals of the main doubles draw at the ITA Northeast Regional Championships at Princeton University on Monday.
 
The pair went the distance against their opponents from Penn, falling in the first set before taking the second in a tiebreaker.  Unfortunately for the Crimson and Gray, the Quakers won the match-deciding supertiebreaker to advance to the final.
 
By virtue of their performance this weekend, Bezzaz and Ruy qualified for the ITA East Sectional Championship; they will be the first Hawks to compete in an ITA Sectional Championship event.

"What a week!" head coach Jeff Puhan said.  "Othman was a few points from beating the #35 player in country, Ernesto battled and reached the Round of 16, and Othman and Ernesto taking down everyone in their way to make the semis, which qualifies them for Sectionals..we keep making program history and are not satisfied.  The guys are motivated and know we can play with anyone in the country.  I am so proud of this group!"

The ITA East Sectionals are set for November 6 through 9 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
 
SAINT JOSEPH'S RESULTS
 
Doubles Main Draw Semifinals
Shaurya Bharadwaj / Vojtech Vales (Penn) def. Othman Bezzaz / Ernesto Ruy (SJU), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 10-5 (STB)