Another remarkable season came to a conclusion in Cincinnati for the Saint Ignatius varsity tennis team this weekend.

The two Wildcats' double teams, after clinching spots in the State Tournament with strong District efforts, fell in the first round to talented duos. 

Still, the Cats have plenty to be proud of. 

Arjun Brahmbhatt and Brian Zhu occupied a spot in the top half of the bracket, facing the No. 2 seed in the top portion of the bracket.

The Saint Ignatius sophomore-senior combo matched up with Max DeCurtins and Charles Temming of St. Xavier. The Bombers' squad bested the Wildcats' talented duo, 6-0, 6-1.

Richie Hofstra and Nate Day paired together in the bottom half of the bracket vs. the top seed of that side of the tourney. The Wildcats' senior-freshman combo ran into another senior-freshman tandem from Columbus St. Charles – Jack Dabek and Reese Yakubov. 

Hofstra and Day worked hard, but Dabeck and Yakubov earned a 6-1, 6-1 victory. The Cardinals' duo eventually finished second in the doubles tournament. 

"We knew going in we had tough matches, but I felt like we played some of our best tennis of the year against the toughest competition in the state," said Head Coach Bobbe Bennett.

The Wildcats will miss the seniors on the squad, particularly Hofstra and Zhu. Both are high performing athletes, as well as students. Hofstra earned the Jorge Mario Bergoglio, S.J. Award (along with Beck Saine) for the student with the highest GPA after seven semesters at yesterday's graduation. 

"I can’t say enough about the leadership our seniors displayed. Richie and Brian work so hard on and off the court and do it all with such pose and respect," said Bennett. "We are really going to miss them next year."

Despite the tough losses, the Wildcats will have plenty of talent returning. Brahmbhatt and Day have plenty of potential. 

"Arjun and Nate are just getting better and better and will be back next year ready to get back and compete even harder," Bennett said.

Congratulations again to Coach Bennett and the Tennis Cats on a phenomenal season!