Head Coach Nick Carless announced on June 1 that Cal Poly Men’s Tennis has added Ernst Gouws, a transfer from Liberty University, to the team. Gouws, originally from Stellenbosch, South Africa, will join the Mustangs as a redshirt junior with two years of eligibility remaining.
Gouws attended the same high school as assistant coach Jurgen De Jager, establishing an immediate connection within the coaching staff. This marks the second year in a row that Carless and De Jager have brought in an upperclassman from a Division I program.
During his collegiate career at Liberty University, Gouws achieved a singles record of 22-18 and a doubles record of 20-13. He was named an ITA Scholar-Athlete for three consecutive seasons and is recognized for his dedication and positive mindset. In the 2024-25 season as a redshirt freshman, he posted a 3-1 record at the ITA Atlantic Regional and received both the Conference USA Commissioner’s Academic Medal and placement on the CSC Academic All-District Team. In his most recent season (2025-26), he recorded six singles wins against six losses and had five doubles victories with three defeats.
Before joining Liberty University, Gouws had notable achievements during his prep career in South Africa. He reached No. 1 in national junior rankings, was runner-up in doubles at the South Africa U18 national championship in 2021, won titles at both Cape Town and Durban Growthpoint Super 8 tournaments, and served as captain and top player for his high school team.
