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VIDEO: Fans greet AASU's championship tennis teams

MICAH MCVICKER

Victorious, and with records unblemished, the Armstrong Atlantic State University men's and women's tennis teams entered the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport lobby Sunday to a crowd of about 50-60 people chanting "Let's Go Pirates!"

It was the third time the Armstrong men's and women's tennis teams captured Division II national championships in the same year and first time they finished the same season undefeated.

"For the whole program, it's such a great achievement," said senior co-captain Mikk Irdoja, clutching the men's trophy. "Our coach, Simon Earnshaw, has (done) such a great job. You've got to give all the credit to this guy. (I have) great respect for this guy. He's such a great coach. Not just as a coach. He's taught us so many things. He's made us who we are. he's made us the champions we are right now."

The men's team earned its third title - all during the last five years. The women captured their seventh national championship and fourth in the last five years.

Senior Kathleen Henry said winning a national championship does not get old.

"I promise, it doesn't," she said. "Every single year, it's been a different experience filled with so many great memories. It's been amazing."

Last year, Barry University eliminated the Pirates in the semifinals. This year, Earnshaw's team avenged that loss en route to the national championship match against Brigham Young University-Hawaii.

"That was the best," Henry said. "We were going into that match fired up. We wanted to win that and make it through the semifinals because that was what held us back last year. Just to make it through the semifinals and then to win the final, it's just been an amazing year."

Making his first public appearance, Armstrong's new mascot joined the celebration at the airport.

"It's a special thing - the team was coming home, " said assistant athletic director Michael Smoose. "It was an impromptu thing. We're still waiting to unveil it to the rest of campus later when all the kids are back."

The warm welcome at the airport made an impression on Earnshaw.

"It's really nice. I think the overall feeling is that I'm kind of tired," he said, drawing laughter. "(There are) long days when you got both teams from eight o'clock in the morning to six o'clock at night.

"(I'm) very proud of the players, satisfied that we're able to finish this way. I don't have to think about it now for the month or two. And, I'm kind of ready for maybe a nap even."

Henry, who finished her career with three national championships, went out in style.

"I have nothing but great things to say about Armstrong," Henry said. "The school, the tennis program - it's been the best four years of my life. I've grown so much through Simon and through all of the professors.

"It's been so incredible and I just can't thank him (Coach Earnshaw) enough."