Ernst Gouws

Height:
5-11
Class:
Fifth Year
Hometown:
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Prev School:
Liberty

Liberty
Spent four seasons in Lynchburg (2022-23 to 2025-26) ... Earned an overall 11-9 singles record and a 12-10 doubles mark in third season at Liberty ... Went 3-1 in singles at the ITA Atlantic Regional (2024-25) with three two-set victories ... in second season, held a four-match doubles winning streak, including doubles victories over No. 64 Dartmouth, No. 39 Yale and No. 68 Utah State ... also Received the Conference USA Commissioner’s Academic Medal and was selected as an ITA Scholar Athlete and to the CSC Academic All-District team ... as a freshman made the Round of 16 in his first ITA Atlantic Regionals, going 2-1 in the tournament .... recognized as an ITA Scholar-Athlete and included on CUSA/ASUN Academic Honor Roll in first two seasons.

Prep
Climbed to No. 1 in the junior tennis rankings in South Africa ... finished as the doubles runner-up at the South Africa U18 national championship in 2021 ... Won the Cape Town and Durban Growthpoint Super 8 tournament ... was the captain and No. 1 player for his high school team, Paul Roos Gimnasium.

Personal
Son of Ernst and Tania Gouws ... earned finance degree while at Liberty and will pursure MBA while at Cal Poly ... aspires to stay in the U.S. and pursue a career in finance ... chose Cal Poly because, "I came on a visit here and fell in love with the place. Reminded me a lot of my hometown Stellenbosch back in South africa. I really connected with the coaches and team and knew this is a place I would enjoy playing for! The strong MBA program the school has to offer will also be the perfect next step for me as i am trying to pursue a career in finance and hopefully start my own company one day."